A few things we should consider

[Glenys]

Its been a strange few weeks firstly My Former husband of way back and My Son Craigs Dad was taken very poorly over the past year or so we reconnected by facebook and became friends again with the blessing of My Hubby Sam anyway we were able to fix him up with a lovely little Cyprus dog Missy as he needed a companion and he became a supporter too of the Cyprus and our rescue anyway luckily we were able to come to Missys rescue and place her in a lovely foster home with a lovely lady called Melanie and though Joe is still on life support we hope one day he will get better .
The gist of this story is that we must absolutely must make our wishes known to our families especially when a dog or dogs are concerned because when families get caught up in a loved one taken suddenly ill often the dogs haven't got a plan.
Ive read in the paper too about Funeral undertakers piling the bill up high for bereaved families, some years ago another Son mark lost his gran and it was amazing that she had planned and pre paid her funeral it took all the worry from Marks shoulders and she got her last wishes.
Non of us wish for our children or families to try to guess what we would want so I urge people to at least think of this taboo subject .
I can also assure people as my Son Gareth is now a funeral director in a wonderful family in the same business and will be marrying into that family I know that they care very much for families and are a well respected business it is not something to fear to make your wishes known and pre paying now the cost will never rise .
Especially If you live alone and want to ask our rescue to send you and in case of emergency sticker for your fridge it will alert emergency services that a rescue dog lives there and be assured we will help in anyway we can.
We had a heck of a job when our freind Jean passed away she had given instructions for us to take her dogs but overzealous people sent them to the police kennels we got them though because her friends knew her wishes .

Im sorry its a gloomy subject but a necessary one.

[mollie]

Sensible post Glenys!

I have to confess that I haven't done anything about my funeral yet, but my Mum has, and she has given me all the paperwork so that I don't have to look for it. She has also told me exactly what she wants me to do with her ashes. I suppose at nearly 83 it's a bit nearer for her. I'll certainly be thinking about it for myself, though.

My family are aware of what we would want for Jess and Tilly if, God forbid, something happened to both of us at the same time.

Food for thought!

[jackie]

I totally agree with Glenys do please consider what will happen to your dog(s) if you need to go into hospital. I work in the NHS and there are so many occasions where patients are admitted but then there is nobody left to look after the dog. Don't assume your family will do this, they too can be stressed and have to spend hours at hospital, work etc so looking after a dog is not always an option for them too.

I have pushed the Cinnamon Trust a number of times - if you have some time please consider volunteering it means that elderly and palliative patients get support when they most need it, you will be surprised just how many people refuse admission due to nobody available to look after their dog (and other pets). These patients really do need support a dog is sometimes the only thing that keeps them going

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/

Jackie x

[maxie]

Even if we find this morbid or upsetting, Glenys is right it's so important to make sure that our wishes for our dogs are made quite clear - in writing.

Thank you Glenys for the reminder to deal with this!

Joan

[autumndays]

A subject that became very relevant to myself earlier this year when Anne went into permanent care.

Now living alone with Skye with no family or surviving relatives, what would happen if I was incapacitated or worse when out and about and he was left home alone?

I now permanently wear an SOS Talisman medallion inside which is information to alert the emergency services that I have a dog at home and how to gain access. At home there is a folder in full view with written instructions and permission to contact Labrador Rescue to safeguard his welfare.
A trustworthy neighbour also knows how to gain access if they suspect that all is not well.

I hope that this is never needed but who knows what may happen unexpectedly.

Paul and Skye

[Tros yr Afon]

Very wise food for thought .... it reminded me of something another wise doggy friend of mine said to me recently. I live alone and she asked if I carried a notice of some sort when I am out alone in case I had an accident (in the car for example) to say I have dogs alone at home. I am never away from them for very long ... but accidents do happen and I now keep a card in my purse ...saying I have dogs and who has a key to the house ...

Just in case!
Jo xx

[Joe + Hilary]

Yes I keep a similar thing in my passport, printed off from one of the rescue sites. I keep meaning to sit down and type an essay about each dog and how to treat them, to leave with my will and their health books, which I tend to leave by the phone.

Hilary, Rowley & Douma