Hi Reader,

This weekend, something happened in my neighborhood that I can’t stop thinking about.

My elderly neighbor, quiet, private, and someone I barely knew, passed away in her home. It took almost two weeks before anyone realized something was wrong. The only reason we found out? Her mail started piling up. And when I went to check on her, I heard a dog barking inside.

No one even knew she had a dog.

It took the mail carrier, several neighbors (myself included), her church community, and multiple welfare checks before someone finally got inside. Sadly, it was too late for her. But not too late for her dog, who survived and is now safe with people who cared enough to step in.

It’s a heartbreaking situation, but it made me ask the question I want to gently pass along to you today:

We don’t like to think about worst-case scenarios. But this experience reminded me that even the most loving pet parents, people who dote on their dogs every day, might not have a plan in place for emergencies, hospitalization, or sudden death.

So let’s talk about it.

4 Simple Things You Can Do Today:

Even if you’re young and healthy, making a plan now is one of the kindest things you can do, for your dog and for the people who may one day need to step in.

Here are some thoughtful first steps:

• Put emergency contacts in writing. Choose a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor who could care for your dog short-term. Post their info somewhere visible in your home and keep it in your wallet or phone.
• Include your dog in your “in case of emergency” notes. You can carry a card in your wallet that says “I have a dog at home who needs care if I’m hospitalized.” You can also add this to your phone’s lock screen or emergency info.
• Have a basic care plan ready. Feeding, medication, routines, triggers, vet info. Having this written down (or saved digitally) makes a huge difference if someone needs to step in quickly.
• Include your dog in your will or estate plan. It’s not just for people with a lot of assets. Making sure your dog is named in your legal documents helps ensure they’ll be cared for according to your wishes. You can designate a caregiver and set aside funds for their ongoing care so you don't have to worry about their future.

If you’ve already done these things, amazing! You’re ahead of the curve. If not, consider this your loving nudge.

I would love to hear about any steps you’ve already taken, or if this is something you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t gotten around to yet.

Just hit reply and let me know. I read every message.

In kindness and care,