Sharon Sloane
Many of us grew up with a pet of some sort: dog, cat, fish, gerbil, turtle, bird, bunny, or other critter that brought a smile and comfort. My first pet was a small turtle. I can still remember how its little nails felt scraping on my skin as it was trying to get away while I held it. It was so cute! It lived in a little plastic container with a little hill that had a plastic palm tree and a small swimming area. You probably have seen one of these before. One day, I took the turtle outside and put him in the grass to watch him crawl around. Well … he blended in with the grass and escaped to freedom. I didn’t feel too bad as I didn’t have to clean the dirty water in his bowl anymore.
From the time I was 10, I have had the joy of having a variety of pets in my life, including a number of dogs, and sharing that experience with my kids. My husband and I know that our sweet Lab Luna will be the last of our “fur babies,” and we won’t have the worries of not being able to care for another in the future.
Some people wait until they are empty nesters or lose a partner to get a cat or dog for company. They sure can bring warmth into a household. If you are considering adopting later in life, you might want to be a foster parent first to see if you are up for the permanent responsibilities of being a pet owner. Do you have the time, stamina, and financial resources to take care of a pet? Are you able to get them to the veterinarian for annual visits or if they become sick? Who will take care of them when you go on vacation? Can you manage as a single parent?
There comes a time in every pet owner’s life when decisions need to be made about the pet’s well-being and future as we age together. Part of your estate and financial planning should include who will take care of your pet if they survive you and whether there will be money to pay for their care. Who is an emergency contact person for your pet if something happens to you? Do you need a document giving someone authorization to act on your behalf for the care of your pet? Now is the time to make these plans!
Health conditions and sometimes living situations change, which may affect your ability to keep the pet you already have. It is difficult to think about giving them up, and one might feel guilty for doing so. Sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing to do. Family, friends, doctors, or veterinarians can offer some things to consider when making your decision. You don’t want to wait until the decision has to be made for you and it may not be what you would have wanted.
In the meantime, give your pet lots of hugs and kisses, continue to share their pictures with family and friends, and enjoy their company.
Sharon Sloane is an Aging Specialist and can be contacted at sharon@life-transitionsconsulting.com or
303-888-6395.