Always worried what would happen to my boys.

[DvlshAngel985]

Darlene, you are in my head! I was thinking about this the same day you were. I had decided if anything were to happen to me, Kaji would be taken care of by my little brother. We have spoken about it, and he agreed. We joke that he'll always have a way to meet women.

Seriously, he LOVES Kaji. He lovingly picks him up, wipes his rear, mixes his food with his supplements, and will do everything and anything for Kaji. There is a big exception. If something were to happen to me and Kaji stayed in my family's care, he will be separated from all his friends. There will be no more play dates with Uni, Missy, and Louie. Kaji loves his friends, they help him exercise, they do doggy things that a human cannot replace, and he really does enjoy their company. I'm torn. I have 2 YT friends who I know love him and would care for him the same way I do, but would I offend my family if I were to send him with a stranger. I don't know what to do.

Ladyjane, I never thought about euthanizing before. My brothers have made comments about it though. They say Kaji and my bond is so strong, we just love each other so much, they honestly think Kaji will not have the will or the strength to continue on this earth without me. It's extremely depressing, but at the same time it's a valid point. What will his quality of life be if he was on this earth just to simply exist instead of enjoying a happy dog life?

[Britster]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Ladyjane, I never thought about euthanizing before. My brothers have made comments about it though. They say Kaji and my bond is so strong, we just love each other so much, they honestly think Kaji will not have the will or the strength to continue on this earth without me. It's extremely depressing, but at the same time it's a valid point. What will his quality of life be if he was on this earth just to simply exist instead of enjoying a happy dog life?

I wonder about this, too.

Ever heard of Hachiko? A popular Akita in Japan who waited for over 10yrs for his owner to return from the train station, after he died at work and had a heart attack. True story, and Richard Gere recently starred in the movie about it. Soooo sad yet incredibly touching story.

[MJJ56]

My sons and I had this discussion several times in the last few weeks. It started because I was updating my Will. We discussed the longevity of Cissy's life and she would probably be here when I was gone, so who would take her? They both laughed because she is soooo spoiled. I jokingly told them the first one to upset me was gonna get her. Oldest son says - I love, love, love you Mom. Younger son says- need your grass mowed Mom? LOL My youngest just came home from Hollywood and I now have my very own Oscar - "Best Mother". Older son is trying figure out how he can beat that! It has actually turned into a silly discussion for us.
A friend then told me I was doing this all wrong. I should leave "everything" to Cissy and they will be fighting over who will keep her.
All though we have this little banter - either one will take care of and love Cissy the way I do, same as they do with their furkids. Although some find the subject depressing, I feel better knowing "things" have been handled and leaves so much less for my sons to have to deal with, sparing them some of the painful decisions.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Britster

I wonder about this, too.

Ever heard of Hachiko? A popular Akita in Japan who waited for over 10yrs for his owner to return from the train station, after he died at work and had a heart attack. True story, and Richard Gere recently starred in the movie about it. Soooo sad yet incredibly touching story.

Yes I did. It's really very sad. I know it's practical to make plans and it gives peace of mind, but the thought of Kaji being alone in the world brings me to tears. I know he'll feel like I've abandoned him because of his separation anxiety. He's ok with me going to work now because it's predictable. I leave before 8 and come back before 5. He starts waiting for me at the door at exactly 4:30, which happens to be the time I get out of work. Any longer trips or anything out of the ordinary, and Kaji sulks.

[nana911]

I believe they erected a statue to the dog at the train station where he waited for those 10yrs. I've heard of dogs waiting at their owner's grave sites, etc... so sad. I think what to do with your pet after your death is a very personal decision and to be respected, no matter what you decide.

[Darlene68]

Originally Posted by Britster

I wonder about this, too.

Ever heard of Hachiko? A popular Akita in Japan who waited for over 10yrs for his owner to return from the train station, after he died at work and had a heart attack. True story, and Richard Gere recently starred in the movie about it. Soooo sad yet incredibly touching story.

I never heard of this story, I could just cry at the thought of it though!

[Darlene68]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Darlene, you are in my head! I was thinking about this the same day you were. I had decided if anything were to happen to me, Kaji would be taken care of by my little brother. We have spoken about it, and he agreed. We joke that he'll always have a way to meet women.

Seriously, he LOVES Kaji. He lovingly picks him up, wipes his rear, mixes his food with his supplements, and will do everything and anything for Kaji. There is a big exception. If something were to happen to me and Kaji stayed in my family's care, he will be separated from all his friends. There will be no more play dates with Uni, Missy, and Louie. Kaji loves his friends, they help him exercise, they do doggy things that a human cannot replace, and he really does enjoy their company. I'm torn. I have 2 YT friends who I know love him and would care for him the same way I do, but would I offend my family if I were to send him with a stranger. I don't know what to do.

Ladyjane, I never thought about euthanizing before. My brothers have made comments about it though. They say Kaji and my bond is so strong, we just love each other so much, they honestly think Kaji will not have the will or the strength to continue on this earth without me. It's extremely depressing, but at the same time it's a valid point. What will his quality of life be if he was on this earth just to simply exist instead of enjoying a happy dog life?

You are sooooooo lucky to have a brother that loves Kaji that much, it must give you some peace of mind that he at least would be loved no matter who he went with, family or friends!

[kjc]

Or, if YTers are your only resource, pick 2 or more of the ones you feel most comfortable with and stipulate that they work together to rehome or keep tabs on your babies to be sure a suitable home has been chosen.

[Sandysbabies]

The thing that worries me is that alot of people have more than one dog and our 4 are very close. It would break my heart for them to have to be seperated and not everyone would want to take that many. I just hope and pray they can have a good life and be taken care of like we have taken care of them. Mine would not know how to act to be mistreated or neglegted.

[Connie]

Wow! I surely know who I wouldn't leave my dogs to!

[ladyjane]

So do I!

[nana911]

I'm very blessed to have friends and family that will take mine, sadly they will be split up because no one will take all of them on as a group. Can't blame them. But in not insisting that they stay together I've managed to find people that love each of them for specific reasons, and that works. All except Bear. I've got a whole bunch of people fighting over Bear...LOL, the world's hairiest ball of sugar.

[Rachael1983]

In the event something happen to me, Troy would go with my daughter to her father. He is not a dog person at all, but he likes Troy and he wouldn't want to separate our daughter from her little buddy. He would ensure he has everything he needs and isn't harmed. He wouldn't be the snuggler but my daughter would be there for the spoiling.

[kdhawks]

This thread is so sad. I am lucky. I always say there will be a custody battle for Levi should something happen to me. My boyfriend, my brother, my best friend, and my mom would all love and spoil Levi almost as much as I do. And I am very specific with them about what Levi is and is not allowed to have/do/eat/etc. so they know all of my rules. I'm not sure who I would be most comfortable having Levi if something should happen. He adores all 4 of them, and they all adore him. This is definitely something I will be thinking about.

[Lou]

I hate thinking about this but we do need to make preparations!
Jane and I think alike. I fear that Cassie and Adie will both need to be pts. Cassie is very shy and would suffer greatly if she lost us and Adie is so bonded to me that I don't think she would make it somewhere else. The other two are attention hounds and would be fine with any dog lover that took them but my son has already told me they go to him and no one else.

I hadn't thought about a trust fund but since the two sons get everything we own I think they can foot the bill for the dogs too.

Ann! Please feel free to leave Marcel to me!!!!!!! You know I love that little squirt!