Do you have a plan?

[Scottiemom]

Last week a neighbor in our park had been asked to modify the wheelchair ramp at another residence in the park. That owner had his one leg amputated last summer and wanted the change made. He had just been at the VA the day before to get fitted for his prosthesis. He has a little 3 pound Yorkie, Katy, who is about 8. She is the sweetest little thing, going everywhere with Bob. In the summer they live in a campground in their 5th wheel where they are the camp hosts and Katie is the official greeter.

When my neighbor went down to work on the ramp he tried calling ahead, but Bob didn't answer. When he got there, he started banging around hoping to raise Bob, but to no avail. Katie was barking madly, so when my friend's wife got there, she tried the door and found it open, so she pushed back the curtain to let Katie out and Bob was lying on the floor. He had died the night before apparently.

They were able to make contact with his next of kin, etc., but Katie was one confused little doggie. The EMT asked me what would happen to her. I said, "I'm not sure, I know one couple is taking her temporarily." In fact, they often dogsat for Bob while he was gone for the day. But I also told her our park had hundreds of dog lovers, so she would have a home somewhere. She was relieved. As it turns out, we learned there was a couple at their summer camp who had taken Katie in when Bob had his leg amputated and they loved her and wanted her, so when someone comes to get Bob's car, etc., they will take Katie with them and she will have her forever home with people she knows. I'm sure Bob would want this. Thank goodness he had relayed this info to friends here.

Do you have a plan for your pets? If not, please do that now. Make sure someone in your family knows what you want done with your pets. If there is no one willing to take your pet when they "find" you, they will no doubt be taken to a shelter. Also, make sure you have loved ones who you stay in contact with and know where you are, etc. If you have SkyMed, Masa, or FMCA assist, you will be able to have your pets transported "home." Planning for your pets is a bit different than planning for your "demise" because your pets will survive and need to be fed, etc.

Katie is doing fine right now. She looks for Bob every day, but she is eating and playing with toys, etc. She will adjust. She has a lot of people who love her here.

Dale

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Having raised 7 animal-loving kids; and making sure that my dogs are well-acquainted with my many "grand-dogs" - I have no worries that someone will take my 2 dogs should the need arise.

I also use our business phone number on my dogs' tags: my son monitors that number 24/7, so would be able to direct a caller as to what to do with them/us, should something dire happen.

[Gunner45]

Yes, it is very well known and in our will where our pets will go. Our person always refers to herself as their godmom and we discussed with her when we bought our third dog.

The puppy will go back to the breeder and she will determine if his godmother can take him. The three of us have discussed this and are all in agreement. This is just our breeders policy for her dogs protection.

Our pets godmother is also involved in their training.

[toedtoes]

This is an important subject. I spent many years doing rescue and it was heartbreaking to watch family members dump the animals that were loved by the deceased. At the same time, it was heartbreaking to watch family members have to give up that loved pet because their life situation was not compatible with the pet.

There's a fine line there and it's tough for everyone.

Another thing to remember is to have a designated decision maker. Because situations change, that person who has agreed to take in your beloved pet if something happens to you may not be in a position to do so when the time comes. In that case, it is best to identify someone you trust to make alternate arrangements for your pet.

[raindove]

Another thing to keep in mind -- if you have elderly or special needs pets, it's good to have their care outlined in writing. When we were traveling with a senior dog -- I was home cooking for him, and he got all kinds of meds and supplements. I had it all spelled out - kept a copy in the dog care box of supplies -- kept another posted on the wall where it could be seen should anything happen.

[mabynack]

My mom is the crazy cat lady. She's in her 80's and has 16 cats and four dogs. We've discussed her situation several times and we still don't have a plan on what we're going to do with all of her animals when she dies. One of her dogs is a St Bernard and I love him to death, but he's killed two dogs and bit two small local kids who entered her house without knocking. It keeps me awake nights wondering how I'm going to handle this when the time comes.

[USA_Traveler]

Definitely something to be taken seriously. We all love our furbabies so much and want them to continue to be loved if something happens to us. This was a great article and a much needed eye opener. Thanks for sharing.

[Scottiemom]

Another good point about the will, brewjaz.

Dale

[brewjaz]

Thanks for the reminder. I already have my dogs covered in case something happens but really hadn't given it a thought about what would happen if I'm camping. I will now have contact info and instructions in my RV too.

Friends of mine have no children and the few relatives they have will NOT take their cats if anything happens to them. They gave a SIZABLE (they can afford it) donation to a rescue group (been around for years) who will care permanently for their cats after they are gone.

IMPORTANT: Make sure your wishes for your pets are in clear view in your ICE--NOT in your will--wills are not read until much later...and can be too late if a pet is sent to a kill shelter.

[Scottiemom]

Good point, raindove.

Dale

[raindove]

Just be sure the people you make arrangements with are serious about complying when the time comes. A friend just took in a cocker a few months ago. The woman passed away - she had arrangements with another friend to take her 2 dogs. The friend backed out. More times than anyone cares to think about, relatives take the dogs to a shelter. We pulled a senior boy 4 years ago, whose owner had passed. One other call I never will forget -- a woman called me at 7 am one morning. Grandpa had died and if the dog wasn't gone by the time the shelter opened, that's where the dog was going. Grandpa wasn't even cold yet. I thought that was pretty callous.

[Houston_Remodel]

We have Jack Russells which were both rescue dogs. Part of our contract with the rescue, and one of the huge benefits, the rescue will ALWAYS take the dogs back. If its looks like a semi- permanent time, they will return the dogs once folks are out of the hospital. If there is a JRT rescue agent anywhere nearby, they will come for the dogs.

Just another reason to adopt from a rescue.

[rockhillmanor]

Do you have a plan for your pets? If not, please do that now. Make sure someone in your family knows what you want done with your pets. If there is no one willing to take your pet when they "find" you, they will no doubt be taken to a shelter.

X10!
And most importantly to know is that almost all county shelters are kill shelters. If after an emergency no ones comes for your pets they can and will be put down in a very short time if you don't have an ICE implemented.

I have a very visible ICE notice printed on red paper taped on my refrigerator, AND in my car, AND in my wallet by drivers license, AND on the visor in the MH AND in the Toad.

ICE
In Case of Emergency

All rescue, fire, and police know what this is and will look for one.

My ICE lists all the contacts and their phone numbers and back up contacts for who will come for my dogs in case of an emergency.

IMHO, JMHO imperative to have one posted in the MH and attached to your DL while on the road RV'ing.