Old Dogs - Do you have a Plan?

As a dog owner of three 10-year-old dogs, this topic has been weighing on my mind quite a bit. It’s not something most people want to discuss or even contemplate, which is completely understandable. However, it’s a conversation that needs to happen. While we wish our dogs could live forever, nature has its own timeline, and time inevitably marches on. Our beloved companions age, and at some point, we must face the heart-wrenching reality of letting them go.
So, I ask you: do you have a plan for that? If not, I believe you should. We owe it to our dogs, who have spent so many years by our side and have been there for us through thick and thin, to provide them with a dignified farewell. We shouldn’t let the situation catch us off guard, forcing us to make critical decisions amid overwhelming grief.
As for me, here’s what I’ve thought through so far: when the time comes, I would prefer a veterinarian to come to my home. I want my dogs to see their familiar surroundings as their last view before crossing the rainbow bridge, rather than the sterile walls of a vet's office. Being at home during this emotionally charged moment feels right to me; it’s where we’ve shared so many memories together.
I live on a reasonably sized property, and while it seems fitting to lay them to rest here, I can’t shake the thought: “How long will I be able to live here?” The reality is, as I grow older, my circumstances may change. The last thing I want is for someone to buy this property and unintentionally disturb my pets’ resting place. Many years ago, my parents faced a similar situation in Germany, where the blanket covering their dog’s remains was discovered during construction. That experience was gut-wrenching.
Given that concern, I’ve turned my thoughts to cremation as the most viable alternative to burial. While I would prefer this option, I also don’t want an urn sitting on a shelf for years, collecting dust. That feels like it wouldn’t do justice to my dogs, reducing their memory to merely being a “Staubfänger” (dust collector).
My plan is to give my dogs the ultimate freedom by taking their ashes to a beautiful national park and scattering them there, allowing them to run free forever in a place filled with life and nature. I intend to keep a small portion of their ashes as a cherished keepsake, placing them in an amulet for a necklace. This way, I can carry a piece of my dogs with me wherever I go, ensuring that their spirit remains close to my heart.
It’s a difficult topic to discuss, but planning ahead offers peace of mind and ensures that, when the time comes, we can focus on cherishing the memories instead of navigating the turmoil of unexpected decisions. So, I urge you to think about your own plans for your beloved companions. They deserve nothing less than our love and thoughtfulness, even in their final moments.