I really don't worry too much about things in general, I have the attitude that what will be will be and if you can't do anything about it then don't worry about it.
But there it one thing that does play on my mind all of the time.
The Cats.
Mummy Polly is now approx 14 years old (not sure of her age as she was a stray, but only young when we found her). The other four are 13 years old in May.
At the moment they are all seemingly in good health, in fact Mummy Polly seems to be like a 2 year old.
Tom is 81 and I am 75 and it's clear that we aren't going to be around for a lot more years.
This lot have been with us, loved and cared for and they are all more or less house cats.
They do have access to the garden but prefer on the whole to stay indoors.
None of my children are likely to take them and I worry about what will happen to them when we are gone, should we depart before they do.
I realise that there are cat rehoming places but I'm not sure they would be easy to rehome. None of them likes being picked up and cuddled and they all have their own little quirks that we don't mind accommodating but would not be acceptable to some people.
Fred and Kitty our last two cats were 14 when they went to kitty heaven and before that we had never managed to keep a cat past 8 years old, they all had cancer and went too early.
I didn't expect this little lot to still be here if I am honest.
So you see my worry.
One of us needs to stick around for a few more years.
Am I the only one to worry about their animals more that other things, lol
Briony
x
Animals are a constant worry for one reason or another. Mind you, I'm a born worrier, I even worry about worrying! I'm sure you'll be around for many more years yet.
ReplyDeleteI worried about our last two cats a brother and sister who got to 20 and 22 years old. Like you we'd lost two other cats at an earlier age and never expected them to last as long as they did. Now we have no cats and I really miss having them around but same as you would worry about what would happen to any new cats we might home if they survived us. It is a dilemma and I understand when you say it plays on your mind because it did mine too:)
ReplyDeleteZip and I worry about what is to become of our cats too. Like yours, none of them are young any more. Deiter is 14 and his health isn't the best. Reggie and Izzy are both 12. Millie is the youngest at 10. I have thought of making a good donation to a no-kill shelter in my will but haven't done anything about it yet. I guess that's something we should do before it's too late. Probably making arrangements to talk to someone at such a shelter would be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteReggie and Isabel would not be hard to re-home. They are both nice, easy-going cats. Millie
is another matter. She has a rather prickly personality at times. I know none of my sisters or Zip's brothers would want to adopt them.
It is a concern! And one that we all have to think about as we get older. Please let us know if you find a good solution. Dumping them out the door would be a death sentence for ours. Just not acceptable!
I hate to think of leaving my kids alone and vulnerable if anything happens to me.
Have a look at " Cinnamon trust". I think it could put your mind at rest if you do. I haven't read through all that they do, but seems they would look after your lovely cats if/when you can't. You have made me worry now.....none of my 3 kids would have the dog if anything happened to us both!
ReplyDeleteyou are not alone, the reason we adopted Big Boy was his age of 7 and the reason we got Beau is his age of 5, because bob is almot 85 and I will be 77 in sept. big dogs don't live as long as little ones and cats, we think of it all the time. here in Florida with millions of seniors, the heart break is so many end up in nursing homes and they can't take their pets. our shelters are full of beloved pets from seniors. with big boy i worried more than with beau because we have someone who will take Beau if needed and also our vet loves him and would find him a home.. it is something to worry over.. and nothing to be done.
ReplyDeleteBeing in your age bracket--and having cats--I do think about this. When we brought home Shelby-the-Kitten last fall I wondered about the wisdom of that adoption. I could trust my children to do the right thing for our cats, should it come to that--even knowing that it might be kinder to 'put down' an elderly cat than to attempt re-homing. I don't enjoy pondering this--but sometimes I do.
ReplyDeleteMy Pete and I decided a couple of years ago that we shouldn't get any other animals for just this reason. I'm 65 and he's 67. We now have 4 dogs and 6 cats. But the last two cats were strays on our property and we took them in because we had to. One was starving and we found her eating the bird seed that had fallen from the feeder in the middle of winter. She is only about 2 now, and the little boy we rescued this winter is about 5. My daughter has promised to find good homes for any animals left behind. We also have a very prickly conure who is about 20 but likely to live to 50. My best friend is a bird lover, and she has promised to take care of him. We're still looking for someone to take on the 2 African sideneck turtles. It is definitely something to prepare for.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. My husband and I are similar age to you and Tom. Sadly we lost our beautiful cat Archie last week. He was 19, an amazing age and well and happy right to the end. Our house feels empty and my DH says he feels redundant as he was Archie’s servant, 24/7. We are hesitant about getting another cat as Archie never ventured out of the house and a new cat might not be so compliant. Also, like you say, at our age the new cat would almost certainly outlive us. It’s not easy to revoke cats, they get very set in their ways.
ReplyDeleteNot at all, Briony. We have young ones now and I found myself thinking the other day of how old I will be if they live a long life. I think one of my daughters would take our cats if needed but even so it would be a difficult change for them. So all I can suggest is look after yourself first and eat your veggies. :-) These little beings are so special to us.
ReplyDeleteI think that about my dogs, too. Butchy is getting old (11) and has diabetes so I don't expect him to live much longer. Now, the breeders that I got Beulah from are the sweetest people and I signed papers that if anything happens to me and I don't find a good home for her, she goes back to them. They would either keep her or find a good home for her. They interview their buyers and are certain that you will be a good parent before they will even sell you a puppy.
ReplyDeleteOur animals become family, they are true friends and love us unconditionally. Of course we are concerned with their welfare. They hold a dear place in our hearts.
I would discuss it with your children and see if they will look after your beloved cats.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a concern for all of us that love our cats/dogs and worry about their future if we should go first. We had 8 cats at one time... all taken in from outside as kittens except Rose, who just showed up in our garden (hence the name) at 7 years old (aged by our Vet). Once inside, they stayed as inside cats... and seemed content to do so... and safer. And all lived to be 14 - 22 except one who developed Feline Leukemia (contracting it in the womb of his feral mom - according to the Vet since he never went outside) - but he lived 6 years past diagnosis on steroids and was a great cat. We lost the last 2 last year during the pandemic and it seems so strange to be without them. Funny thing is... we sometimes feel like they are still here in the house. It's odd. But as much as we miss them, we are hesitant to bring either a kitten (who would definitely outlive us) or an older cat (can't stand to go through losing another at this point into our home. We do take care of the feral cats who spend a great deal of time in our backyard. Just bought them some Easter toys to put out there...
ReplyDeleteI am lucky that I found a local cat rescue that will take in my cats if I pass before they do. I have donated relentlessly to them and fostered cats for them in order to get this agreement. Are there local rescues you could contact and see if you can get an agreement in place? I know your fear very well. I worry most about my dogs, as they are still "youngish." My other dogs have lived to 16 years.
ReplyDeleteThey look lovely peaceful cats - I think cats' personalities reflect their owners'. Our cat is about 10 and still plays with her piece of rope and runs around in the garden (when stalking me) like a kitten. It's reassuring to hear your 14 year old still behaves young. Sounds like you and they are all really determined - "I'm not going before them!"
ReplyDeleteNow that I live alone I often worry about Gibbs if something were to happen to me. If I were to end up in the hospital or something there would be no one to take care of him. Neither of my children could take him.
ReplyDeleteWe have so much in common. Phil will be 81 this summer,and I am 72. Our kitty is 14. I worry about her. I don't want her to die before we do, but not after us either!! It is not easy getting old, that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a worry although the current worry is getting Bobby well again.
ReplyDeleteWe understand you well. The fear here is that something will happen to F, and no one would know the Tigger is locked in the apartment... and then what? Mr B wouldn't let anything bad happen to the Tigger but Mr B isn't here for about half the year. Just live like you believe you have years in you yet. It will be alright in the end.
ReplyDeleteBefore agreeing to ha e another dog I did the math in my head. I was 62 when I got him and 64 now. A dog lives approx 10-16 years. I too hope I'm around. It is a worry.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have thought about this. My two cats are about 11 now. I am hoping that I outlive them, but nothing is certain. My friend, a cat lover, has agreed to take them in, either to keep for herself, or find a home. I have set aside an amount of money to pay for their upkeep. This plan may not happen as she is older than me, and may go first. Speak to friends and family.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate your concerns. We have made a conscious decision not to have anymore pets once Mickey our standard poodle has gone.
ReplyDeleteI think it's reasonable to worry about your animals. I wonder if a cat rescue organization or the RSPCA could give some advice on providing for them via your will should anything happen? You might be able to specify, for example, that they stay together and that kind of thing? In any case, they're all pretty far along in cat years. I had one cat that lived to be 16, and another that lived to be 14.
ReplyDeleteI am 79 and have 2 cats that are 14 and 16. My son and a daughter have promised to take them if they outlive me. If they don’t I will be very lonely without them. I would never adopt a kitten. I do not understand older people that adopt kittens and puppies. I volunteer at a cat sanctuary. If my cats go before me I will adopt an older cat from them. They have assured me that they will give the cat a forever home if need be. This certainly gives me comfort that I will have a companion until the end. I pray that you find a solution to your dilemma. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThis thought should give you the motivation to live to a ripe old age but you will need to get fitter. Take up jogging, go vegan and take early morning dips in The English Channel. Then you will outlive all your cats...
ReplyDeleteI worry about the same thing. Two of my cats are 14 years old and one is 16 so they don't have too much longer I'm guessing! That is why we will not adopt any more animals because we are afraid they will outlive us!
ReplyDeleteI worry about mine - though more for their age (and therefore passing) than mine - but do worry about my aunt's pet, since she (my aunt!) is 90 years old. I think the animals are what hold us all together physically and mentally and bring us the best in life. My aunt certainly thinks so! xx
ReplyDeleteI sooo know what you are saying. I think about that often about our pets at home in PA. Hubby wants me to get a cat here in Maine with Mom and I would love it but I am 71 and Mom is soon to be 94. 💖
ReplyDelete