by Tina Valant

Created on: August 07, 2009   Last Updated: August 08, 2009

Pets give us unconditional love, enhance our daily lives and help to increase our life spans. Yet, every day, beloved pets are displaced, let loose to fend for themselves, surrendered to shelters, used as bait in dog fighting rings, or sold as laboratory dogs; because family members (of the deceased) did not know what to do, were overwhelmed, or did not care enough. So, the pet loses his owner(s), his home, and everything he knows as familiar; and very possibly his life. What can we do, as responsible, loving pet owners to ensure the care, well-being, and safety of the animals who share our homes and our lives, if something should happen to us?

Titan's appointment went as well as it could have. Dr Kristy said if I had nothing to do but care for him, around the clock, and a few thousand dollars, would only have bought him a month or so. It was the right thing to do; as I knew.

I sat on the floor, he lay on a blanket....Kristy gave him a sedative, and said to just tell her when we were ready. Two emergencies came in, so we had some time.

With an entire box of tissue handy, I recalled, the first day we met, about five years ago. Titan no longer "fit his owner's lifestyle". The owner signed him over to me (an Australian shepherd rescue representative, and mom to five aussies) . I took this gentle, black tri aussie out of Jupiter. Looking into his big brown eyes, I promised him a life where he would be loved and adored.

Soon, Irena adopted him. They were so happy, until she realized, she realized she was allergic. She went on medicine, until I could find the perfect home. I found it, with George and JoAnn, an elderly couple in Delray. Titan became the light of their lives. Irena enjoyed visitation rights. George started taking walks again. Ti loved going to work, then coming home, and sitting outside on the porch with them. They always told me, "Ti is the BEST dog we have ever had, thank you so much!"

A couple years ago, their vet got a sheltie that needed a home; Cassie joined the family. They were best pals. At that point, Ti looked at me, worried. I told him, "Of course, I am going to take care of your sister, don't worry". He laid his head back on the pillow.

Every time I visited my brother, in Delray, I would slither out and visit George, JoAnn, Titan, and Cassie. My phone would ring, with a family member asking, "We are getting ready to eat, are you coming back?"

Ten months ago, JoAnn passed away suddenly. George and the dogs were lost without her.

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