Who Will Help Them When You’re Gone? Part 2
Christy Doherty
As discussed in part one, providing for your pet(s) in a will or trust is truly love in action — protecting them in case the unexpected should happen.
One oft-overlooked aspect is socialization. Here I encourage you to have some fun.Whether your pet is furry or feathered, engage them with others. It could save their lives if they outlive you.
Changes in mobility keep some seniors closer to home, which also isolates their pets. Walks involving meeting new people and pets may happen less often or never. In such cases, dog walkers are a great option. It puts someone new on the other end of the leash, with new adventures every walk.
Dog walkers are also helpful should you find yourself too busy for walks. Consider one for times you have recurring appointments — apps for services abound. Meet the dog walker before your appointment, and do your thing while Fido enjoys new smells and experiences. I used to take my greyhound along to a weekly remote appointment, and he loved his time in new surroundings.
For indoor-only pets (like my kitty) or those with birds (who live long and bond with few people), visitors are important in acclimating them to meeting and accepting others.
“Many dogs belonging to seniors aren’t well socialized — with either humans or dogs — they are constant companions of the owner,” says Leah Rosin, Volunteer Foster Coordinator at Wiggly Tails Dog Rescue
While that companionship is great, both for the shut-in and the devoted pet, socialization equips a pet to adjust to (and thrive in) a new setting should the need arise. It also enriches their current lives (and yours) and makes them more adoptable and easier to care for should a temporary shelter stay ever occur.
“Dogs who are well behaved and socialized can often be taken along to memory care or assisted living. If they are scared and threaten to bite, it doesn’t work,” Leah says.
Back to estate planning. While you may not have a full-time pet caregiver within your circle, they can be found through rescues. Some are species-specific, like the Cat Adoption Team’s Loving Legacy program. For those with a dog, cat, and/or a smaller critter or bird, Oregon Humane Society (OHS) has the “Friends Forever” program. Some small/nonprofit rescues also have similar programs. With the latter, you can always appoint them plus a larger backup organization
“Many wonder, ‘Will my pampered pet find a home where it will receive care like I provided?’ and that’s a legitimate question,” says Kathryn Karr of OHS. “But never underestimate the adopters who come to OHS; they are amazing.” Karr has seen diabetic people adopt a diabetic pet — after OHS spent three months stabilizing the pet’s condition.
“We all tend to think that nobody else can provide the care we have, but I see things every day where adopters provide better care in some ways than I could.”
Enrolling in such a program includes providing information about your pet’s personality, likes, and behavior. An estate gift of any size is all that’s required. For shy pets, OHS has suitable fosters with quiet settings.
“Some people really think their pet ought to be euthanized rather than be at a shelter —but average adoption time is four days; average overall is seven for both dogs and cats,” Karr says.
As you consider the love you receive from your beloved companion, consider making provision to ensure they receive that kind of love in return should you outlive them.
RESOURCES
Wiggly Tails Dog Rescue, Eugene
info@wigglytails.org
www.wigglytails.org
541 654 4259
Oregon Human Society Legacy Program, Portland, Salem
503 802 6743
Cat Adoption Team, Sherwood
Loving Legacy Program
503 925 8903 ext 6
development@catadoptionteam.org
At her home office “a few deer trails off the beaten path,” Christy Doherty writes about animals and extraordinarily kind people.