First and foremost...

We have an elderly customer who frequently does her custom address labels with us. Today, she had a different job for me. When I saw her instructions, I kind of got sad. She wanted me to create a card that she could hang around her neck that basically said "...if anything happens to me, first and for most, take care of my dog. Please do not send him to animal control. Call my care giver.  Do not deviate from this directive..." 

It made me sad that she doesn't have anyone. No family to take care of her. No one left to make sure her one and only furry friend was safe and loved when she finally goes. That she'll die alone knowing that she's leaving her only loyal companion behind, not knowing what will really happen to him.

It made me think: what would happen if I grew old and the only thing I had left that I loved more than life was my pup. My heart would break to know that life would surpass me and death would take me away from him. I would want, more than anything, that he would be taken care of and loved. Not sent to the pound where he could inevitably be euthanized. It would crush me to know just that. So I just can't imagine what that lady is feeling...I can't imagine what it feels like to accept that death is right around the corner. I know people can die at any moment but to die of old age, that's another story. I'd rather die early than grow old. I'm scared for the day I have to prepare myself for it. She kind of reminds me of my Grandpa. He's ready. It's like he's just waiting now...but you know, he's been super happy doing so.