Life without pets.

[Aussie105]

Back story:
Me 76, wife 81.
Live on a suburban 1/4 acre block.

Have had constant canine companions for the last 13 or 14 years, staffy/American bull terrier cross, brother and sister from the same litter.
Both died within 18 months of each other.

Trouble is, the work to keep them healthy and happy has always been left to me, wife showed no interest in shopping for them, feeding, walking, vet visits and cleaning up the back lawn. Or, for that matter, cuddles and making sure they had clean and warm bedding at night.

With them gone, I just have the cat - a stray ginger that walked in one night and decided to stay.
Plus feeding the backyard wild birds.

Wife now has 'lost the plot' (probable dementia), watching her now trying to unsuccessfully open the side gate that has a simple bolt holding it closed.
So she takes some caring for, and putting up with fits of anger.

On the one hand, I'm sad the dogs are no longer here - their pictures from better days are posted around the house - but relieved the load on me is more manageable.

Tempted to go get another dog or two, but . . .

(I'm not asking any questions. This is more a grief post. Takes a while.)

===================================================

In Memoriam: Bree and Brinn.

[2naSalit]

1. ...

[murielm99]

2. Awwwww...

We only have a cat these days. The worry about them outliving us is a big reason.

[zanana1]

7. I worry about that, too.

I'm 73 and have a 12 year old cat. I love him to the moon and back. He's what they call "spicy". I worry that he won't have a home after I die.

[3catwoman3]

3. Such a sad post, for many reasons.

I’m glad you have the cat.

Wishing you strength and serenity.

[irisblue]

4. .

🫂

[Aussie105]

5. Here I am, at 76 years of age . . .

and only now learning how to be in touch with my feelings and express them. lol

I feel better for writing it, don't know about someone else reading it.

Anyhow, thanks for the responses.

[Trueblue Texan]

6. I have 3 dogs...

Two of them are getting up there in years. Mother and son are 15 and 12 respectively. Both have heart disease but the boy, who owns my own heart, has it worse. His medications cost a fortune but I am fortunate enough that my husband and I share their care. I know his time to cross over isn't far off and just thinking about it tears me to pieces. But I have strongly considered not getting more dogs when the 3 I have are gone. I cannot imagine my life without them, but we are getting older and it gets more complicated to care for their health needs while our own are becoming more fragile. I feel the grief of missing your good friends. If people don't understand that they are truly our family, they've never really had a relationship with a dog. Peace and healing to you, Aussie.

[Hope22]

8. My heart is with you.

Being a caregiver really takes it all out of a person. It makes sense that you think another dog would be overwhelming despite the comfort and joy it would bring. My heart is with you as you travel this path. You are doing the hard work. Hang on as the waves of grief flow and give kitten a hug. 💗🙏🏼

[jmbar2]

9. My last dog died in 2011

I was completely destitute after the crash of '08, so poor I had to borrow the money to put him down.

Even after all these years, I still vividly remember every contour of his head from petting him so often. I've never had sufficient income since then to afford a pet, and miss animals in my life terribly. Even if I could afford it, at my age, I couldn't realistically commit to be there for the life of another dog.

Pets make us better people. I honor your sadness. You are a better person for having loved Bree and Brinn for those short years. [[hugs]]

[Aussie105]

18. I'm deeply touched by your post.

To coin a phrase - It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

(Alfred Lord Tennyson)

[Old Crank]

10. Nearly 75

Current dog is 16, mostly blind and deaf. Relative good health other than that. We haven't decided yet about another pet. Cats tend to live longer. We plan on some travel and that is harder with a pet. Even if the daily walks with a dog are good for us.

[multigraincracker]

11. Love our pets, but

I call them our boat anchors. Makes it had to travel. No one to care from them. Going to try take them to a kennels. Not sure how that will work out. Plus it’s not cheap, like $75 a day for the 3 of them.

[callous taoboy]

12. I'm sorry you and your wife are going through this.

Your post is like a short story. I can empathize completely, thinking back on my one pet I had as an adult, my cat who made it to 19. The grief of losing her makes it difficult to ponder getting another.

[brer cat]

13. I'm so sorry, Aussie. A home without furbabies is missing

a lot of love and joy. Best wishes to you caring for your wife. It can be a difficult and painful experience.

[Karadeniz]

14. Sounds like us.....

[Nigrum Cattus]

15. A poem for you

[Richluu]

16. Many Blessings

Wishing you grace to find your way through.

💛

[littlemissmartypants]

17. I'm so sorry. ❤️

I lost two dogs in the same week. One died the same day my father did and the other on Friday the 13th. I had to get another dog. Had to. I hurt so bad that I couldn't breathe.

[Aussie105]

19. These were the first dogs that we have had from birth to death.

And being freshly retired when we got them, they were my constant companions for their whole life.

We did have labradors before, but working life gets in the way of any deep connection, it seems.

Hoping I gave them the best life possible.

Getting another dog now would be the quickest way to get over sad memories.

No way I'd take on one or two boisterous puppies now, but the local Animal League dog pound might see me there yet, looking for a middle aged Staffy to adopt.
They are popular here.

Hope springs eternal.