I have two German shepherds that will be 10 in November. I will be 87 in November. So far we are all healthy but I told my daughter and son in law if I die and the dogs are older to have them put down and put in the grave with me, just because I wouldn’t want to cause them to change their life style for what ever time they had left. He shot back, “wouldn’t that be animal cruelty”, I ask him if he meant the putting down or putting them in the same grave with me. Seriously, we are so bonded that I pray they pass on before me. (not soon though)
Wife and I are ready to go but we KNOW our little girl dog would not eat. She doesn’t like change. We put them in a fancy kennel when we travel. She loves the place but it took her a while to get used to it and we introduced her gradually.
Texas A&M has a program where they will care for your pet after you die. But the upfront price is pretty steep. If people can be “who” they say they are I may state my dogs are my kids and let them get my SS and leave to A&M.