Missing my gerbils

Since I was a child, I have always had companion pets. Now in my late seventies, I have a twenty-three month old neutered male cat, who lives indoors, has the run of the place and is a spoilt brat. Life is strictly on his terms. He's the feline version of the Duchess of Sussex " What Catto wants, Catto gets!" He can be smarm 'n' charm when he wants something (Dreamies/food/to get et under the duvet at night and hog the hot water bottle) otherwise he does exactly what he wants, including random acts of tearing through the whole dwelling, day and/or night, jumping into his water bowl and then patting my face with wet paws, kicking the litter out of its box, not getting the angle of the dangle right for the solid matter and leaving it on the floor after a disdainful sniff,
I wouldn't be without him for the world!

We've not had gerbils but hamsters, guinea pigs and dogs.
None now as we got older.

I wouldn't worry but just make arrangements in case, which would put your mind at rest.

I used to have lots of gerbils they are not long livers they only live about 4/5 years so unless you are expecting to both go very soon why not have a pair but get two females or else you ll end up with dozens and two males will fight
Enjoy them while you can

My husband kindly volunteered to rehome a colleagues gerbil cos he said his wife said the kids were not looking after it
I can’t remember how many were in the litter ‼️‼️

My daughter and I adopted two gerbils, and we felt like lottery winners at being given the chance to have them.
We really loved them, and looked after them properly.

In those days it was straight down to library to find books about their care, followed by the pet shop to find them some treats.

Small pets can be found new homes. DS and family welcomed into their home two guinea pigs and, after they died, 2 budgies, who are still with them.

If you want to have gerbils, then get them and enjoy them.
I’m sure that your worry of you both suddenly dying together is highly unlikely and even so the RSPCA would step in and re home them.
Why not ask a neighbour, if they would be willing to feed your pet gerbils if you ever go away for the weekend, just so you’d know you’ve got a backup plan, I’m sure someone would.
My daughter helps with her next door neighbours pets when they go away, which include two cats, a parrot and a tortoise, so two little gerbils shouldn’t be too difficult. 😊

My sons had gerbils when they were teenagers. Interesting little creatures. Perhaps, if you had to go into hospital, or went away for a holiday, you could ask a neighbour? RSPCA take small pets. Gerbils only live 3 or 4 years, though.