At the age of 97, Walter had outlived his brothers and sisters, his wife and his only son. He still lived alone in his own home when I first met him, and he stayed there until he drew his last breath the following year.

While Walter was "alone" in the world, he certainly wasn't alone. He had Millie. Millie was a more-or-less cocker spaniel of questionable heritage. Her legs were too short for her body, and there was an interesting ruff around her neck that suggested a chow somewhere on the family tree. Millie was a happy little love-any-burglar-to-death gal who gave Walter a reason to get up in the morning, and lots of little jobs to keep him on schedule throughout the day.

While Walter wasn't rich by any means, he was rich in the love he and Millie shared. His only real worry as he got older was about Millie, who was a far sight younger than he was. "I want you to make sure that Millie has a home when I go," was his emphatic instruction the day we met.

It took some doing, but we made it happen. The fact that Walter was prepared to do what needed to be done to make it happen is what gives this story its happy ending.

Walter was able to remain active in his church because someone came to give him a ride every Sunday. After we brainstormed a bit, Walter decided to approach this much younger woman (age 75 or thereabouts) about adopting Millie "when the time comes." She knew Millie, and they got along.

Now, this woman, while willing, was living on a fixed and fairly low budget. Her only concern was that she couldn't afford the food and veterinary care Millie would need. The loving part she could handle.

So we set up a meeting with Walter's attorney. This attorney drew up an addendum to Walter's will, setting aside a sum of money in a special trust to be used for Millie's care as long as she lived. Any money remaining in the trust when Millie died was designated to a rescue organization, to be used to help other Millies.

The day Walter passed away and I got the call, I simply had to call Millie's new mother, and we made arrangements for Millie to go to her new home. While Millie obviously mourned Walter, she made a good adjustment in time, and she is now thriving. I'm sure Walter is looking down and watching with a smile, because everything turned out the way he wanted.

Millie and Walter's story isn't typical. How many times, when an owner dies or moves to long term care, do beloved pets end up in shelters, with three days to be adopted before they are euthanized? Or even worse, end up on the street? I don't know, but I do know that it's far too many.

We make arrangements for our children to have care if something happens to us. We do the recommended planning for our own care, should that be needed. We prepare wills and trusts to bequeath our stuff. We're rarely as prepared as Walter was to take care of our pets, who depend on us just as much as our children.

If you or your elder have pets, it's wise to talk with friends or family members about "what if" now, before the need arises. If there is someone in your circle who would be glad to take your animal(s) in, then put it in writing so there are no misunderstandings later. Older dogs and cats can incur costly medical bills, just like people. If there might be a need to subsidize the financial costs of caring for your pet, make those arrangements, too. If your pet predeceases you, those plans are null and void, so no harm done. If you predecease your pet, you will have spared your friends and family another difficult decision at a difficult time.

You'll give Walter another reason to smile, and Millie's "circle of care" will have grown another ring.