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

(57 Posts)
Hattie64 Mon 09-May-11 19:28:13

I have two dogs, 8 and 9, I love the companionship of a dog, I am convinced my husband gets more enjoyment from our dogs than his children and grandchildren, they don't argue, agree with everything you say, and behave themselves, but then he is a grumpy old git. I know somebody who is nearly 80, who took on a rescue dog,after years of not having one, and loves it.
I have asked all my children that the dogs outlive us, to either find them good homes, or invite them into their homes.

HildaW Mon 09-May-11 19:07:59

Just a bit of info...there is a charity, called The Cinnamon Trust that takes in elderly pets when an older owner can no longer cope, think they alos look out for dog walkers if anyone does not want long term responsibility but misses having a dog

absentgrana Mon 09-May-11 15:36:30

I (61 years old) am planning to emigrate some time within the next 12 months and have 6 cats. They are all quite elderly but in good health and I intend to take them with me. However, I think they will be the last pets that I have as a) I can't tell how my health will be in 17 or 18 years time; b) I can't tell how my finances will be in 17 or 18 years time; and c) I should like to explore my adopted country without the worry of finding a cat-sitter. However, my daughter is threatening to land her rambunctious and ill-trained dog on me as soon as I arrive. I would say the best laid plans of mice and men, etc. – but I am definitely not planning on keeping mice or, indeed, men.

milliej Mon 09-May-11 15:28:31

My husband is 70 this year so when our beloved beagle passed away at nearly 13 years, we decided not to get another pet. (we still have two ageing budgies smile.
However having had dogs for about 30 years the house didn't seem the same so we got another rescue and what a nightmare, the poor thing had a lot of problems, never been socialised and must have been kept in a yard all the time as he drank out of the bucket when I mopped the kitchen floor after he pee'd every night! When we took him for a walk he went for every dog he saw!
We tried but have never come across a dog like this before so after months of trying, we returned him to the rescue centre (over 2 hour drive away!). Whatever happened to him I don't know but I blame the owner not the dog.
Our local pet shop heard the trouble we had and there was a little rescue (cross breed funny little thing) who's owner had died. We were asked if we would like to have a 'go' at rehomeing her.
I'm so glad we did because she's a little star, just right for us now and although we've always had beagles and this little dog is a jack russell cross, she's champion. So.....one never knows what may happen in the future. If we hadn't taken her I think she would have gone to the pound as she's an older body, like us smile

Nannyliz Sun 08-May-11 22:36:31

No, Twinklepickers, it's not bad. I've made the decision already. We have an adorable tortoiseshell cat who'se just a year old. I'm nearly 60 so if she lives to be 17 or 18 as cats seem to, I'll definitely not be getting another. I'm going to enjoy her company while I can. smile

HildaW Sun 08-May-11 10:10:54

Hardly bad my dear..just jolly sensible. I do have one elderly cat but shes fit enough....her brother died last year after a sudden illness tho he had been on long term medication for something else. I find worrying about them stressfull at times...and it gets to the point where this stress can cancel out the good that having a pet does.
Also I found myself having a conversation with someone in your situation...where she has already decided that when her elderly (and to be quite honest senile sounding) dog dies she will not get another.

Of course everyone is different and this may sound jolly shocking to some pet lovers amongst us...but its your life, you know your limitations and budget...so dont feel bad....choose what works for you.

twinklepickers Fri 06-May-11 21:50:31

Over the years I've been saddled with several pets when the DC have gone off to university or living in accommodation which couldn't take an animal and now I've ended up with a cat and a dog. Now I like the company but they are actually quite expensive to run.

Cat needs daily medication and dog is on a special diet. I'm retired but I can't go away without adding £100 to the cost of a week away for kennelling/catteries and I can't even go out for a meal with friends at night because the cat needs to have his medicine during the evening.

So I'm thinking that when they shuffle off the mortal coil I shouldn't get another pet. Because in ten years or so I'm not going to want to be getting up to walk the dog and let's not even mention the litter tray.

Is that bad?