At what age do you not replace the pet in case you die?

Hardly bad my dear..just jolly sensible. I do have one elderly cat but shes fit enough....her brother died last year after a sudden illness tho he had been on long term medication for something else. I find worrying about them stressfull at times...and it gets to the point where this stress can cancel out the good that having a pet does.
Also I found myself having a conversation with someone in your situation...where she has already decided that when her elderly (and to be quite honest senile sounding) dog dies she will not get another.

Of course everyone is different and this may sound jolly shocking to some pet lovers amongst us...but its your life, you know your limitations and budget...so dont feel bad....choose what works for you.

No, Twinklepickers, it's not bad. I've made the decision already. We have an adorable tortoiseshell cat who'se just a year old. I'm nearly 60 so if she lives to be 17 or 18 as cats seem to, I'll definitely not be getting another. I'm going to enjoy her company while I can.

My husband is 70 this year so when our beloved beagle passed away at nearly 13 years, we decided not to get another pet. (we still have two ageing budgies .
However having had dogs for about 30 years the house didn't seem the same so we got another rescue and what a nightmare, the poor thing had a lot of problems, never been socialised and must have been kept in a yard all the time as he drank out of the bucket when I mopped the kitchen floor after he pee'd every night! When we took him for a walk he went for every dog he saw!
We tried but have never come across a dog like this before so after months of trying, we returned him to the rescue centre (over 2 hour drive away!). Whatever happened to him I don't know but I blame the owner not the dog.
Our local pet shop heard the trouble we had and there was a little rescue (cross breed funny little thing) who's owner had died. We were asked if we would like to have a 'go' at rehomeing her.
I'm so glad we did because she's a little star, just right for us now and although we've always had beagles and this little dog is a jack russell cross, she's champion. So.....one never knows what may happen in the future. If we hadn't taken her I think she would have gone to the pound as she's an older body, like us

I (61 years old) am planning to emigrate some time within the next 12 months and have 6 cats. They are all quite elderly but in good health and I intend to take them with me. However, I think they will be the last pets that I have as a) I can't tell how my health will be in 17 or 18 years time; b) I can't tell how my finances will be in 17 or 18 years time; and c) I should like to explore my adopted country without the worry of finding a cat-sitter. However, my daughter is threatening to land her rambunctious and ill-trained dog on me as soon as I arrive. I would say the best laid plans of mice and men, etc. – but I am definitely not planning on keeping mice or, indeed, men.

Just a bit of info...there is a charity, called The Cinnamon Trust that takes in elderly pets when an older owner can no longer cope, think they alos look out for dog walkers if anyone does not want long term responsibility but misses having a dog

I have two dogs, 8 and 9, I love the companionship of a dog, I am convinced my husband gets more enjoyment from our dogs than his children and grandchildren, they don't argue, agree with everything you say, and behave themselves, but then he is a grumpy old git. I know somebody who is nearly 80, who took on a rescue dog,after years of not having one, and loves it.
I have asked all my children that the dogs outlive us, to either find them good homes, or invite them into their homes.

I am 75 years old and have always had dogs,my husband passed away 10 years ago and our two dogs (15years old )passed a year later.I got my present dog from a Blue Cross centre,she is now 11.She was a handful at first,but with gentle training has become a well adjusted friendly little mut.If i pass before her the Blue Cross will take her,I believe theres no such thing as a "bad dog" just uninformed owners!!!

I seem to recall that the RSPCA have a Home for Life Scheme - the adverts were real tear-jerkers ! You can request a pack and instruct them on caring for your animal after your demise.

I did have 4 cats but am down to 1 now. Once she is now longer with us I plan on getting one small rescue dog to keep me mobile - as I look at all my neighbours, it's the ones with dogs that are mobile and fitter ! I really think animals contribute to the psychological well being of us all especially as we get older.

Hi, I am new to this site, I only found you all this morning. I am nearing 62, and hubby is 64, we have 4 dogs, all rescued. 2 are getting on in life, 11 and 10 years old, but the other 2 are only 5 years old. They keep us young and active. However, one is a Jack Russell cross Chihuahua, and I understand they can reach 20 years! So we have made the decision that he will be our last dog......but, you never know do you?

Can I reiterate and add to what one reader has mentioned. Most if not all animal rescue centres are happy to accept regular volunteer dog walkers and the dogs are chuffed too! This enables someone who is unable to look after a dog full time for whatever reason, the opportunity to enjoy their company one to one whilst being able to hand them back (a bit like having grandchildren).
Another possibility would be to become and RNIB puppywalker. Taking on a puppy and training it up ready for life/work with a blind person. This way you get the enjoyment of a puppy yet are only committed to a year or so. The bonus is that you are helping someone else whilst having fun yourself - win-win! Handing back, I am told, can be emotional but the fact that people do it over and over again demonstrates that it is not insurmountable. Many people still keep incontact with their proteges anyway.

Our last cat died just about the time my husband turned 60. We decided then to have no more pets. Mainly because of the cost of boarding when we go on holiday and because we did not want to be tied in with a pet when we could have a nice day out. Since then my daughter has bought a dog and my son a cat. So we get enjoyment from their pets and the grandchildrens enjoyment of them. We are often available to dog or cat sit. Best of both worlds.

Hi, My constent companion is Henry. He is a four year old Bassett Hound. As I am Seventy years old, and Henry May live for another Ten years,if we are lucky.I will not be having another Dog,as I may not be caperble of taking care of Him.

We have always had Bassetts in the family from when the children where
small,ever seen 9 puppies and mum + dad ears pinned up trying to get to the food bowl first,couldnt do that now as they take so much to excercise
they walk miles and I couldnt do it now,when we lost the last one we owned
Bonnie we vowed never to replace her,but we lasted 10mths before we
went to pound and gave a very scruffy long haired Jack Russell a home,
he now rules the roost and is happy with short walks as he to is getting
on in years.

I am the opposite! Since retiring my dog population has gone from 2 to 7! My newish hobby is showing. I wanted to make new friends when I moved to be near my son and daughter - both married. Most friends are made through work or your children's schools and I didn't have either. This has worked big time for me. I have to walk the dogs every day and I have a wonderful new circle of friends. Some are local through dog training, some are further away that I meet at shows. And - the successes are fantastic! We won a 2nd at Crufts this year and have won at other shows - though not every week! I am 65 so don't intend getting any more puppies but if a good one comes along - who knows! I do, of course, have time for my wonderful grandsons as well!

hi bunny62..i have a jack/chi to, i didnt know they could live till twenty, mine is always at the vets! he has a very thick folder..thicker than my doc's one..even!
hi Michael, i hope you both get many happy years together!
and hi glammananny..thats what the DIL...used to call me!
this little chap will be my last one. i love him so much ..more every day in fact! i cant bear to think in the far distant future...maybe i would foster..(i had to put my hands over his ears for that comment)!

My cousin who is in her eighties wouldn't be without a dog, and she gets them from a dog rescue centre. Unfortunately, they all seem to be rather aged, and she loses them on a regular basis, but they have a wonderful home for the latter part of their lives [I'm not sure which charity she goes to]. I've read about the Cinnamon Trust and they sound very good. I would imagine it's easier to rehome a dog than a cat. When I lost my last dog, I said I wasn't going to have another, but my partner persuaded me to have another and I'm so glad he did. Also, reputable dog breeders often need to rehome bitches that are too old for breeding; I have whippets [can't recommend them enough, because all they want is to sit on the sofa with you and watch television, and they are so sweet and gentle] and the breeder I used to buy from offered me an older bitch; I didn't accept because I like to have a dog from a puppy so I know it's temperament]. I used to have cats as well, but I find whippets are like a cat substitute..however, don't even attempt to keep them off the furniture; they feel it's where they belong, and they're such clean dogs it doesn't really matter.

I am nearly 60 and have had 2 dogs one died last year aged 12 the other is still with me aged 13. Will be very upset when the time comes to say goodbye but will not be getting anymore animals to look after, I have loved them but want no ties now that I am a Gran and want to be able to get out and about again. Don't rush to replace your animals, wait and see how you feel in say 6 months.

The Oldies Club has dogs who are well checked out but will probably predecease any potential adopter. Older pets are very rewarding and if they do have any problems they will have already been discovered and dealt with and you will be fully informed about them. They also cover veterinary expenses for dogs needing ongoing care.

I've got 2 oldish cats and 2 young dogs and don't EVER want to be without a furry friend. I'm 66 and hope to get a pug when I'm old (!)
My idea of hell is ending my days in an over-heated care home without a cat or dog.I trust my family would take on my pets when I die.

I have two dogs, and won't be getting another after mine go. I'm nearly 60 and it is getting difficult to give them the exercise they need, as I'm disabled too.

The younger dog is nearly three, so hopefully a long time before I lose him - in fact he might outlive me!

My old dog is hanging on ( see other post) aged approx 16 years and husband wants to get a puppy when this one goes to the big kennel in the sky. The kids are all grown up now and mostly away from home so it would be me looking after it most of the time and I don't want another dog. Yes, they can be great company and mans best friend and all that but I can see me having to plan my life around a dog. I thought that once the kids had left home we would be having days out, weekends away etc but not so because dog is too ill to leave.I see lots of old fellas and their dogs in the park and think another dog would be 'the last one' and me, husband and dog all getting old and grey together. i'm a bit mixed up at the moment, please excuse ramblings.

My mum is 82: Her dog and cat both died within a few weeks of each other just over a year ago and she says it's as if she has been given a new lease of life. She hasn't been able to stay away or go on holiday for any length of time in years and now feels able to do so. She adored her cat and dog, but is happy to enjoy her latter years with visits to children and grandchildren - not to mention the fact that she only has to clean her house half as often as when the pets were alive.

I know this thread was started some time ago but I couldn't resist adding my two-pennorth.

We have always had dogs and on occasions cats as well and I can't imagine life without a pet. At present we have a rescued Lurcher and she is wonderful. She is three but when her time eventually comes, off we will trundle to the RSPCA (who don't mind older owners) to find ourselves another perfect partner.

This all sounds well and good but it is important to remember to make advance arrangements for the future of the pet should the inevitable happen to it's owner. The poor thing has already been rehomed at least once. Fortunately our daughter is as much of a dog-nut as I am, so no problem there.

I always wanted to have a dog once I'd settled into retirement. However, many factors conspired against this plan, my dodgy joints being the main one. But my sons' households were cat-dominated and I do like to visit as often as I can. Kennel charges would have added up prohibitively over the year. I live on an increasingly busy road which makes cats out of the question; so I make do with the warm greeting I get from my neighbour's four labradors.