[yorkiekist]

Subject: Please Act on this - it could happen to you. I'm grieving today over one of our rescue girls who died yesterday, fourdays after the beginning of her heartworm treatment. In the midst of mygrief though, I'm overwhelmed with the desire to do something positive, and thus this post . . . Another situation is really bothering me right now . . . and has me frustrated and determined to ask each one of you to take action. On September 24, 2008, a 45 year old woman left for work, as she did most days. She probably gave a pat to her two old labby boys as she left, and wished them a nice day. She knew they would be fine until she got home -they had the run of the house and a doggy door allowing them access to the yard whenever they wanted to go out. It was a part of the daily routine.On this September day though, the routine was broken. An aortic aneurysm ended the woman's life, and she never came back home. I didn't know her, I only learned of the situation recently when I heard of two old Labs, 10 and12, destined to be put down on the 14th. I put the word out about them, and started searching for more info. I learned that these old guys had been boarded at their Vet's office since their Mom didn't come home. I learned that "everyone" thought that "someone else" was looking for a home for them. Finally, the woman's brother said he couldn't pay their boarding any longer - they had to find homes or else. That's when everyone jumped into action. I went to see the boys. Sweet, sweet dogs. The chocolate boy, Tracker,has arthritis. He takes "little old man" tottery steps in the front, and slow steps behind. He is sweet and loves cookies and having the special place behind his ear scratched. Shooter, the black boy, moves better, but his hearing is failing and I know he doesn't see as well as he used to. He,too, is affectionate and loves to be petted. Lab Rescue of LRCP stepped upand offered to take these guys, but the local contact had gotten enough response when steps were finally taken to find a home for these boys thatshe declined the offer. As of Friday night, the boys were still with the Vet, but that might have changed as early as yesterday. Whatever the case,they are no longer in danger of being put down. The fact remains though,that there was no plan in place for them. These sweet old boys had their lives changed in a moment, and have been dealing with turmoil and upheaval for nearly 4 months now? Why?? Because everybody thought somebody was doing something, and nobody was. That's why I'm writing. Do YOU have a plan, written down and accessible by the people you trust, that specifies what should happen to your dogs should you leave some day and never return? These boys are lucky . . . the woman's family and friends, knowing how much she loved her dogs, chose to have them cared for. But with no one responsible for making other arrangements forthem, they have been stuck in limbo. This was a real wake up call for me,and I am asking you to let this serve as a wake up for you as well. Do not let another week go by without making arrangements for your dogs, talking to someone you can trust to be responsible for them, and putting your plan in writing. Even if you are married or in a relationship, take the time to make a plan for your dogs. I know my husband wouldn't want all of these dogs running out his ears and would want to place some of them, and he would want to do it according to my wishes - but how can he if he doesn't know what those wishes are. And should something happen to the two of us, I don't want my dogs to have to go through what Shooter and Tracker have had to deal with. I don't want your dogs to face this, either. Please take steps this week to ensure they don't have to. --

Hope this never happens but unfortunately it does.