When a client wills you a dog......

[dogspaw]

I have been grooming for a little old lady (88 yrs old) for several years now. She is the only one I do pick up and delivery for any more, she does not drive, and has only a niece that lives in town. She has told me for the last several years that she put it in her will that I was to have her dog when something happned to her. She knew I would take care of him and her family did not want him. She always sends home SOMETHING for the kids, like an ice cream cake or cupcakes, saying she has had all of whatever it is she can eat, and they can have the rest. Of course, it has not been touched and we realized long ago she was buying these things for the kids. She has such a special place in my heart. My son called her Wed to see if he could bring her a plate for Thanksgiving and her phone was disconnected. My heart fell, I know she was ok 3 weeks ago, but at 88......

I found her Obituary online. She died last week peacefully in her sleep.

I called her niece to offer my condolences, and find out about her baby. I was told that a nurse that was there with her for a few days kept the dog till the family decided they didnt want him, then she said she guessed she would keep him.

I dont know what to do. I feel obligated to her to make sure her dog is taken care of, but really what can I do? I made sure to leave my number, and asked that they forward it to whoever has the dog just in case. Told them I would be glad to groom him and so on. I have xmass gifts for this dog (she was a BIG cowboys fan, my son got him a jersey) and I am going to miss him as much as her.

Would it be distastefull for me to call in a few weeks and check on him? Should I try to get the gifts to him or just let it be?

[dogandi]

Keep checking

I kinda had the same thing happen to me but the kids ended up keeping the dog. But I kept up with them and it all did work out, they needed a little education about havin a dog so I was able to still be a part of the dogs life and maintain my customer as well. Your client was a special person to you more then a client for sure so do it for her....... Good luck Dawn

[dogandi]

Keep checking

I kinda had the same thing happen to me but the kids ended up keeping the dog. But I kept up with them and it all did work out, they needed a little education about havin a dog so I was able to still be a part of the dogs life and maintain my customer as well. Your client was a special person to you more then a client for sure so do it for her....... Good luck Dawn

[Debbiedogs]

I would check

For sure, you need to check. Maybe the nurse can't really keep him. Maybe she is looking for a home for him, knowing that the family didn't want him.

Two heads will be better than one figuring out what is best for the dog, plus you know him better probably.

[SwissNChow]

If you really want the dog, I guess you can pursue the will to find out what it really said. Assuming you don't actually want the dog and just want to make sure the dog is okay, touch base with the nurse that kept the dog and just remind her when the dog is next due for grooming and that you would love to get him cleaned up for Christmas for them. Remind the nurse that you are either interested in adopting or are able to help them rehome the dog if they decide they can't keep it. If he comes in for a pre-Christmas grooming, send him home with his Christmas gift.

[stewiedog]

If it was actually written in her will isn't he "legally" yours. If they really want him I wouldn't push it, since that would be causing a second injury to the family after loosing thier aunt. If they don't really want him and are just keeping him to keep him, and aren't going to provide the best care for him I would push it. Find out for SURE what thier intentions are for him.

[D'tails]

Personally I would just let it go since you already spoke with someone. If I were in her shoes I would have a lot on my plate dealing with a death and wouldn't want to deal with phone calls from an unknown (to her) groomer.

I think it was very nice of you to call and check on the dog.

[Dawn125]

Did you actually tell the niece that the lady had said she wanted you to have the dog? Do you want the dog? If she did actually put it in her will it may not have been read yet so you may end up with the dog anyway. It would be really terrible if the nurse just took the dog because she thought no one else would take it and it ended up in a shelter or worse.

[ColleenT]

Was the will even read? I would remind the family that she wanted you to have him, b/c she knew you'd take good care of him.

[Mollyclizbe]

I would check in. You clearly really care about this dog, and I am so sorry for the loss of your client. I hope things work out, and that you still get to at least groom the dog.
I would just check up on it, let them know that the dog, and all of them are in your thoughts.
Again, I am so sorry.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

I don't have any advice.

I just wanted you to know how thoughtful it was that you were going to take a Thanksgiving plate to her. I also think it is wonderful that your son was involved with calling her to try to arrange to take a plate.

Children learn by example, and I just want to say, you are a GOOD example! Bless you!

Tammy in Utah

[lexapurple]

If it was written in the will the dog is yours now. I would try to get in touch with the person who is keeping him to make sure she wants to keep him or she wants to give him to you.

[Briarpatch]

Call back the relative and ask for the nurse's number. (I guess that's where the dog is??). Offer a free grooming for the holidays and a chance to chat with her when she comes in. Just explain to her how much the dog has meant to you and that you'd like to keep tabs on him/her as you promised the lady that you'd do.

[Erks]

I would definitely try to get in touch with the nurse just to be sure she really wants the dog and to maybe establish a relationship so you can keep watch over him. It sounds like this lady and her dog meant a great deal to you and I believe you would feel better knowing the dog is being cared for.

[Boxerfan]

You can find out about the will without bothering the family. Wills are matter of public record when recorded at your local courthouse. Let us know what you find out, this is an interesting thread.