At what age do you not replace the pet in case you die?

I think this puppy I have will be the last dog and I did "downsize". If you like cats they are a much better option for retired and/or elderly people. My two cats are quite happy to stay at home when we are away and be fed by the neighbour.

Cats are good companions, and do not require taking for a walk, hence they demand less of your energy than do dogs. When my two old cats leave us, we shall definitely be acquiring new ones.

However, my daughters have volunteered to take over care of any cats we have at the end of our lives.

In the meantime, the cats do not restrict our activities. We have a woman that comes in to care for them when we are away - she charges no more for four cats (we had four originally) than she does for one (unlike catteries), and she keeps an eye on the house at the same time.

I should think most areas have pet sitters - much nicer for the pets to stay in their own home and be looked after than for them to go to a cattery/kennels.

I was going to mention the cinnamon trust, marvellous charity. Personally I hope I will never ever be without a companion animal, be it guineapig, cat, rabbit, dog, cat, horse or something ....... the Rainbow Bridge will be waiting with all my animals who have gone to animal heaven (I hope I go there too!!!). There will always be a suitable pet of an age that will need a lap to sit on (not the horse of course).

Never say never! When my dog died a few years ago now I thought 'that's it. No more pets'. Our family has done the gamut of all sorts of animals. But somehow I've taken on my son's partner's moggies because......a long story....and I'm so glad I did. They're 6 year old brothers, neutered, chipped and vaccinated, and have very different personalities. Yes they cost a bomb when we go away and of course decent cat food ain't cheap but I love them to bits and so do all the GC - even DH makes a fuss of them now. They will be my last pet though - I think

I think we all have to do what suits us best and I have to say a recent hip replacement makes me think twice about having quite such a large dog again. At least you have lovely dogs nearby Annobel and other family pets so really you get the best of both worlds.

Ideally I would do what your brother has done pompa, I am already an RSPCA Volunteer so I will check it out once I have persuaded OH that it would be a good idea

That's what has happened to my cousin..I've actually lost track of how many dogs she's had recently.

This is such a difficult decision to make if you are a pet lover.
Our cat of 19 years died 18 months ago. We still miss him. However as we are recently retired and have a new grandson, we travel a lot. The ability to just drop everything and head of if the weather (or call of help for grandson) is forecast good persuades us not to get another cat at this time. We propose to travel as much as we can whilst we are still able.
As we get older and more sedentary, I'm sure we will get another cat, probably older rescue cat -- couldn't cope with the home wrecking kitten stage again.
My brother, who is much older than me) has dogs, (he takes elderly rescue dogs). He has some arrangement with the RSPCA where his dogs will be re-homed should anything happen to him, I think he paid a contribution that ensured they will be cared for. Most of his dogs are very elderly, so he will outlast many of them, he has already had 5.

I always wanted to have a dog once I'd settled into retirement. However, many factors conspired against this plan, my dodgy joints being the main one. But my sons' households were cat-dominated and I do like to visit as often as I can. Kennel charges would have added up prohibitively over the year. I live on an increasingly busy road which makes cats out of the question; so I make do with the warm greeting I get from my neighbour's four labradors.

I know this thread was started some time ago but I couldn't resist adding my two-pennorth.

We have always had dogs and on occasions cats as well and I can't imagine life without a pet. At present we have a rescued Lurcher and she is wonderful. She is three but when her time eventually comes, off we will trundle to the RSPCA (who don't mind older owners) to find ourselves another perfect partner.

This all sounds well and good but it is important to remember to make advance arrangements for the future of the pet should the inevitable happen to it's owner. The poor thing has already been rehomed at least once. Fortunately our daughter is as much of a dog-nut as I am, so no problem there.

My mum is 82: Her dog and cat both died within a few weeks of each other just over a year ago and she says it's as if she has been given a new lease of life. She hasn't been able to stay away or go on holiday for any length of time in years and now feels able to do so. She adored her cat and dog, but is happy to enjoy her latter years with visits to children and grandchildren - not to mention the fact that she only has to clean her house half as often as when the pets were alive.

My old dog is hanging on ( see other post) aged approx 16 years and husband wants to get a puppy when this one goes to the big kennel in the sky. The kids are all grown up now and mostly away from home so it would be me looking after it most of the time and I don't want another dog. Yes, they can be great company and mans best friend and all that but I can see me having to plan my life around a dog. I thought that once the kids had left home we would be having days out, weekends away etc but not so because dog is too ill to leave.I see lots of old fellas and their dogs in the park and think another dog would be 'the last one' and me, husband and dog all getting old and grey together. i'm a bit mixed up at the moment, please excuse ramblings.

I have two dogs, and won't be getting another after mine go. I'm nearly 60 and it is getting difficult to give them the exercise they need, as I'm disabled too.

The younger dog is nearly three, so hopefully a long time before I lose him - in fact he might outlive me!

I've got 2 oldish cats and 2 young dogs and don't EVER want to be without a furry friend. I'm 66 and hope to get a pug when I'm old (!)
My idea of hell is ending my days in an over-heated care home without a cat or dog.I trust my family would take on my pets when I die.

The Oldies Club has dogs who are well checked out but will probably predecease any potential adopter. Older pets are very rewarding and if they do have any problems they will have already been discovered and dealt with and you will be fully informed about them. They also cover veterinary expenses for dogs needing ongoing care.

I am nearly 60 and have had 2 dogs one died last year aged 12 the other is still with me aged 13. Will be very upset when the time comes to say goodbye but will not be getting anymore animals to look after, I have loved them but want no ties now that I am a Gran and want to be able to get out and about again. Don't rush to replace your animals, wait and see how you feel in say 6 months.

My cousin who is in her eighties wouldn't be without a dog, and she gets them from a dog rescue centre. Unfortunately, they all seem to be rather aged, and she loses them on a regular basis, but they have a wonderful home for the latter part of their lives [I'm not sure which charity she goes to]. I've read about the Cinnamon Trust and they sound very good. I would imagine it's easier to rehome a dog than a cat. When I lost my last dog, I said I wasn't going to have another, but my partner persuaded me to have another and I'm so glad he did. Also, reputable dog breeders often need to rehome bitches that are too old for breeding; I have whippets [can't recommend them enough, because all they want is to sit on the sofa with you and watch television, and they are so sweet and gentle] and the breeder I used to buy from offered me an older bitch; I didn't accept because I like to have a dog from a puppy so I know it's temperament]. I used to have cats as well, but I find whippets are like a cat substitute..however, don't even attempt to keep them off the furniture; they feel it's where they belong, and they're such clean dogs it doesn't really matter.

hi bunny62..i have a jack/chi to, i didnt know they could live till twenty, mine is always at the vets! he has a very thick folder..thicker than my doc's one..even!
hi Michael, i hope you both get many happy years together!
and hi glammananny..thats what the DIL...used to call me!
this little chap will be my last one. i love him so much ..more every day in fact! i cant bear to think in the far distant future...maybe i would foster..(i had to put my hands over his ears for that comment)!

I am the opposite! Since retiring my dog population has gone from 2 to 7! My newish hobby is showing. I wanted to make new friends when I moved to be near my son and daughter - both married. Most friends are made through work or your children's schools and I didn't have either. This has worked big time for me. I have to walk the dogs every day and I have a wonderful new circle of friends. Some are local through dog training, some are further away that I meet at shows. And - the successes are fantastic! We won a 2nd at Crufts this year and have won at other shows - though not every week! I am 65 so don't intend getting any more puppies but if a good one comes along - who knows! I do, of course, have time for my wonderful grandsons as well!

We have always had Bassetts in the family from when the children where
small,ever seen 9 puppies and mum + dad ears pinned up trying to get to the food bowl first,couldnt do that now as they take so much to excercise
they walk miles and I couldnt do it now,when we lost the last one we owned
Bonnie we vowed never to replace her,but we lasted 10mths before we
went to pound and gave a very scruffy long haired Jack Russell a home,
he now rules the roost and is happy with short walks as he to is getting
on in years.

Hi, My constent companion is Henry. He is a four year old Bassett Hound. As I am Seventy years old, and Henry May live for another Ten years,if we are lucky.I will not be having another Dog,as I may not be caperble of taking care of Him.

Our last cat died just about the time my husband turned 60. We decided then to have no more pets. Mainly because of the cost of boarding when we go on holiday and because we did not want to be tied in with a pet when we could have a nice day out. Since then my daughter has bought a dog and my son a cat. So we get enjoyment from their pets and the grandchildrens enjoyment of them. We are often available to dog or cat sit. Best of both worlds.

Can I reiterate and add to what one reader has mentioned. Most if not all animal rescue centres are happy to accept regular volunteer dog walkers and the dogs are chuffed too! This enables someone who is unable to look after a dog full time for whatever reason, the opportunity to enjoy their company one to one whilst being able to hand them back (a bit like having grandchildren).
Another possibility would be to become and RNIB puppywalker. Taking on a puppy and training it up ready for life/work with a blind person. This way you get the enjoyment of a puppy yet are only committed to a year or so. The bonus is that you are helping someone else whilst having fun yourself - win-win! Handing back, I am told, can be emotional but the fact that people do it over and over again demonstrates that it is not insurmountable. Many people still keep incontact with their proteges anyway.

Hi, I am new to this site, I only found you all this morning. I am nearing 62, and hubby is 64, we have 4 dogs, all rescued. 2 are getting on in life, 11 and 10 years old, but the other 2 are only 5 years old. They keep us young and active. However, one is a Jack Russell cross Chihuahua, and I understand they can reach 20 years! So we have made the decision that he will be our last dog......but, you never know do you?

I seem to recall that the RSPCA have a Home for Life Scheme - the adverts were real tear-jerkers ! You can request a pack and instruct them on caring for your animal after your demise.

I did have 4 cats but am down to 1 now. Once she is now longer with us I plan on getting one small rescue dog to keep me mobile - as I look at all my neighbours, it's the ones with dogs that are mobile and fitter ! I really think animals contribute to the psychological well being of us all especially as we get older.

I am 75 years old and have always had dogs,my husband passed away 10 years ago and our two dogs (15years old )passed a year later.I got my present dog from a Blue Cross centre,she is now 11.She was a handful at first,but with gentle training has become a well adjusted friendly little mut.If i pass before her the Blue Cross will take her,I believe theres no such thing as a "bad dog" just uninformed owners!!!