The Marin Humane Society — the one in my county, has this wonderful program called Guardians for Life. It’s free service for looking out for your furfaces (and other animal companions) should you pass before they do. I signed up during their first year — it was right after my parents died 3 weeks to the day and hour apart and I was feeling my own mortality. There is a trust fund for my kitties and everything is set up for them to go on in the event they outlive me. To me, it isn’t being morose, it’s taking care of things so that what I would want to happen will.

Guardians for Life has you fill in this extensive questionnaire about your companion animal — likes, dislikes, foods, health, toys — a very complete profile of each one. Each April when I get my “it’s time to update” letter I have mixed emotions. If one of the furfaced children, commonly called cats, has crossed the rainbow bridge it reminds me they are gone. Not that you ever forget them, it’s just another level of remembrance. On the positive side it gives me a chance to reflect on what has been good for them the past year.

Molly, who will be 21 in September, had blood work done this week. She goes every 8-12 weeks because of kidney disease and it’s how after 4 years since diagnosis we keep her going. The vet said this week the disease is still only mild — most cats make it 6 months to a year — Molly has held her own all this time with a little help from me. That was a good update to add. That she is now totally deaf was a sad one — a year ago she could hear.

A year ago Mel, who is now 11 (we think) didn’t meow or purr — he does so regularly now. Looking over the past years’ updates I can see a progression of their lives, their likes, dislikes and changes in their health.

Living with them is like living in a multi-generational household — cats are like 2 year olds - even at almost 21 Molly is curious and has to be involved in everything and the terrible twos — oh yeah. That can happen. And like a two year old I still have to be the parent and make the decisions on food, care and health.

Cats are like teenagers, pushing the boundaries — you know that tablespoon of whipped cream they get before bed……..Mel will try to get his paws on the container — climbing up in the refrigerate in the morning and going for the can — letting me know he wants it then too. When Molly doesn’t get what she wants — like to check out the garage when I’m running out to work — she meows really loudly and sometimes it looks like she stomps around.

And with Molly it is like having a senior citizen in the house — with her arthritis she moves a little slower, her age she sleeps a little more and we do the things for her you would do for any revered elder.

I take them day by day, but when the Guardians update arrives it is a time for reflecting back and seeing what they have done, what has changed this year.

I so very much appreciate the Marine Humane Society for this program — it only takes about a half hour once a year to put in writing what I would want for my kitties if I go before them. It’s one less thing that would flash through my mind at that moment at the veil.

If you have a companion animal, have you made all the provisions you wish for them? They’ll never know you did it, but you will.