Who would take care of your dogs if something should happen to you?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

This is not meant to be a morbid subject, but has anyone made plans for your dog(s) if, God Forbid, you die suddenly? I just became "godmother" to a good friend of mine's dogs in case something should happen to her and her husband. They travel alot, both car and plane, so they asked me if I would make sure their dogs were taken care of in case of their untimely death. (Crap, death to me is untimely in itself!!! LOL) Then I realized, "Oh Gosh we travel too!" What would happen to my beloved dogs if we never showed back up?" In most cases, animals are turned over to the local animal shelters and if no one adopts them, they are EUTHANIZED!!!! I can't let that happen to my 4 legged family members who have brought me such joy!!! So I called my attorney and had it added to my will that my dogs will NOT be EUTHANIZED but my Executor must be responsible for making sure the dogs are taken care of and adopted out to a good family. Anyone else thought about this?

[Susan Maurer]

If God forbid anything happens to both hub & myself (otherwise the other of us gets Ruby), we want her to go to Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota. She is a service dog for hub who has MS. We would like to have her go to someone that needs her! If she is too old for that, the gal that helped us train her said she would find a wonderful home for her or keep her herself.
Susan Maurer

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

We have talked about it. The dogs will stay together, and live with my sister. The Cats will go to his Dads.
When my Dad died he had a dog Sammy and a Cat JoJo. Sammy died the day my Dad was admitted to the Hospital. We all feel she waited until he was "gone" to die. My Aunt took her to the Vet because Sammy would not walk.She was just laying on the ground outside.My Aunt was trying to get in the car to go to her house. We got Sammy in the car and up took her to the Vet, she was in heart failure. My Aunt was besides herself because Sammy was my Dads love. My Dad had heart failure and died 9 days later. Sammy was over 13y old, she was a rescue so we were not sure exactly how old she was.
JoJo went to live my sister. She is still alive and mousing.

[Paula]

I recently encouraged my 74 year old Grandma to get a dog and promised to take care of it for her when the need arises. She wanted another dog but felt she couldn't because of her age and how unfair that would be to the dog. When I finally figured out what was holding her back I promised to do my part she got a puppy immediately! It is the best thing she has done in years...literally! She is soooo happy with her new baby to love! It does my heart good to see mt Grandma so happy. She deserves it! Anyway, I really need to make arrangements for my pupster!

[Leslie and Halas]

Maybe the puppy will help keep her young! And with you letting her know that you'll be there whenever she needs you, at least she doesn't have to worry about the puppy.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

Hi Liegh, Thx for posting this. It is so important. I update my will before every time I travel. I have a list of people who I check with before I travel to see if they still want to be on the list. My executrix is instructed to go down the list in order and contact the people to see if they want one of my dogs. They are not told at the time they are offered the dog, but if they take the dog, they are then given $10,000 from my estate for the care of my dog. I am a breeder so most of the people on my list already have one of my puppies and are open to accepting another one.. It is my greatest nightmare as who will care for my dogs if something happens to me. I also discuss this issue with all my puppy parents when they take a puppy. I also do rescue and I discuss it with all my new puppy parents. It is also written into all my breeder puppy & rescue contracts. Good topic Thx Puppy love from Joy & furry folk

[Rae]

This is actually a very good topic since none of us will live forever. We realized seveal dogs ago that we needed to make sure our furkids would be cared for "in a manner they have become accustom" including methods of training, etc. We have money set aside in our wills for the care of the dogs and have "layers" of people signed on to take them into their homes. Since times and people do change we have it set up so if "person A" can't take both girls then "person B" is contacted, etc. We also have detailed written instructions for each dog with our attorney and our vet as well as with family and friends.