I’m sorry, Max. You’ll never understand. I’m sorry, Max.

In a small, picturesque town nestled in the mountains of Colorado, where the air is crisp and the pine trees whisper with the wind, lives a man named Walter. Walter, a retired schoolteacher in his late 70s, has spent most of his life in this town, forming deep connections with the land and the people. But perhaps no bond was stronger than the one he shared with his loyal companion, Max, a golden retriever who had been by his side for the past 12 years.

Walter had always been a man of routine. Every morning, he and Max would walk down the gravel path behind his house, through the dense forest, to a clearing where they could watch the sunrise over the mountains. This was their time, a sacred moment of peace before the day began. Max would run ahead, chasing after squirrels or sniffing the underbrush, but he always returned to Walter’s side, his amber eyes full of devotion.

Life had been kind to Walter, but as with all things, time brought change. A year ago, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, one that left him with little energy and no cure. The once robust man found himself growing weaker by the day. When the doctor suggested hospice care, Walter hesitated. The thought of surrendering to his illness, of acknowledging the end, was daunting. But eventually, he realized it was the best decision—to live out the remainder of his days in comfort, surrounded by the things and people he loved.

Skeptical that this is an issue? Look at the data.

As hospice professionals, you experience this multiple times per week, if not every day. People who choose hospice can’t make their beloved pets disappear into the night sky. Their pets are sacred companions that comfort them with unconditional love. These pets are family members (possibly more important than a few human family members). 😩

But what happens to their pet(s) when their journey ends? Is there an immediate family member that has agreed to take the pet? If no legal provision has been written, the pet(s) are considered personal property and are treated like furniture, jewelry, dishware, or clothing. The worst-case scenario is the pet could end up homeless or in an animal shelter.

These are the conversations that we need to have with the ones we care for - not because it’s our responsibility - it’s because everything we can do to alleviate a source of anxiety immediately helps.

As the hospice team began their visits, bringing comfort and care into Walter’s home, Max never left his side. The nurses and aides would often find Max lying at the foot of Walter’s bed, his head resting on his paws, eyes alert, as if he understood the gravity of the situation. The bond between man and dog was palpable, a silent testament to their years of companionship.

However, as Walter’s health declined, so did his ability to care for Max. He worried constantly about what would happen to his beloved dog when he was gone. Max had been his shadow, his confidant, and the thought of leaving him behind broke Walter’s heart. His son, David, lived in Texas with his wife and three children. They already had two dogs and a cat, and despite their best intentions, taking in another pet was not an option. Walter’s daughter, Sarah, lived in a small apartment in New York City. Her busy lifestyle and cramped living conditions made it impossible for her to care for a large dog like Max.

Walter’s worry grew as his days dwindled. Every time Max looked at him with those trusting eyes, Walter felt a pang of guilt and sorrow. How could he ensure that Max would be loved and cared for when he was gone? This question haunted him, often keeping him awake at night.

Estate Planning for Your Pets - It’s a thing.

The numbers are all over the place. We can only provide what we’ve found.

It’s estimated that between 100,000-500,000 pets are placed in animal shelters each year when their owner passes away.

Roughly 60 percent end up being euthanized when an adequate home cannot be found.

According to the American Pet Products Association, only 9-percent of people with Wills have made provisions for their pets.

If you overhear a conversation in a home or you’d like to refer one of your families to additional information regarding this topic, we recommend checking out the following company. They have dozens of articles and helpful information. 

Everplans organizes the details of your life for you, and keeps you one step ahead of what you need to do next.

One afternoon, while discussing his concerns with his hospice social worker, Mary, Walter broke down. “I just don’t know what to do, Mary,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Max has been with me through everything. He’s family. I can’t leave him with strangers.”

Mary listened carefully, her heart aching for Walter. She had seen this kind of dilemma before, where pets become a source of great worry for terminally ill patients. “Walter, I understand how much Max means to you,” she said gently. “There are a few options we can explore to ensure Max is well taken care of.”

Together, they discussed various possibilities. Mary suggested reaching out to local animal rescue organizations that specialized in finding homes for pets of terminally ill owners. These groups often have networks of foster families and volunteers who could provide temporary or permanent homes for pets like Max. Another option was to contact a nearby senior living community that allowed pets. Some residents might be willing to adopt Max, especially if they had recently lost a pet themselves and were looking for companionship.

Mary also mentioned the possibility of finding a pet sanctuary, a place where Max could live out his days surrounded by other animals and cared for by professionals. This option, while not ideal, would at least ensure that Max was safe and loved.

As they discussed these options, Walter felt a sense of relief wash over him. For the first time in weeks, he felt that there might be a solution, that Max would be okay. Mary promised to help him explore these avenues, to find the best possible home for Max.

What happens to pets when their owners pass?

There are dozens, if not hundreds of stories, regarding this topic online. Examples of what to do and resources of whom to call if you run into this situation at a family’s home.

Email us at [email protected] if you can’t find the resource you need - we’ll assist any family, any time, in trying to find a good home for their pet(s).

In the end, it was Walter’s neighbor, a widower named Tom, who stepped forward. Tom had always admired Max and had lost his own dog a year prior. When he heard about Walter’s predicament, he offered to take Max in. “He’s a good dog, Walter,” Tom said, placing a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder. “He’ll be well cared for, and he’ll still be close by. You can rest easy knowing that.”

Walter’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Knowing that Max would be in good hands, with someone familiar and close by, brought him immense peace. In his final days, Walter could focus on saying his goodbyes, secure in the knowledge that Max would continue to live a life full of love and care.

And so, as the autumn leaves began to fall, Walter passed away peacefully, with Max lying beside him, faithful to the end. Tom, true to his word, took Max into his home, where the old dog settled in, finding comfort in the familiarity of the town and the kindness of a new friend.

The story of Walter and Max is one of love, loyalty, and the importance of planning for the future, even in the face of life’s most difficult challenges. 

It’s a reminder that hospice care is not just about the patient, but about the whole family, including our beloved pets who stand by us through thick and thin.

Cookies, brownies, breakfast burritos, lanyards, and pens are great for marketing your hospice agency.

A newsletter is better and puts you leaps and bounds ahead of the other agencies fighting for those referrals.

If you have an email list and need ideas for content - we can help.

If you have content and need to repurpose it for additional exposure - we can help.

If you’re looking to upgrade your website and provide education and resources - we can help.

A newsletter with beehiiv makes it easy to do all of the above.

Check them out at the link below to learn more.

Until next time….