I keep wondering about their kids, I think I read 2 of them? Why had they not been in touch more knowing decline of dad, and possibly, if they kept in touch weekly or so, that mom was sick?
Maybe I’m old fashioned thinking but most adult kids I know check in routinely with elderly parents. and I f more than one kid sometimes they space contact between them so multiple calls per week-ish?
I feel bad for the dog too, stuck in cage.
Very sad that many elderly either stubbornly choose to live not near relatives or have someone check on them frequently, or “don’t want to be a burden to kids or anyone” making unfortunate things happen, no one knows til way too late.
Sis and I alternated days calling our mom until she was died at 99. My brother and his family had lived with her since she turned 90, but we needed to check on all of them. The farmhouse was built in 1830, and we don’t totally trust that issues can’t occur there.