“He was having a difficult time just bringing them out to us,” she said. “It was sad, but at the same time, he was happy that we were there to support him because all he wanted to do was just get better so that he could help his daughter recover.”
The coronavirus had other plans. The next day, Stein had to be hospitalized in the same intensive care unit as his daughter. Barry Stein died on Feb. 10, and his daughter, Jennifer Stein, died on Feb. 16.Mora cried when Anita Miranda, Barry Stein’s girlfriend, told her the sad news. Miranda, 73, is distraught about the deaths and wishes she could take in the dogs herself, but she has severe allergies to them. She’d seen their sweet antics when they were outside in Stein’s yard and knows how much they meant to Jennifer Stein.Make a DIY Dog Sling for Added Support. Does your dog have arthritis or weak limbs? If your dog needs some extra support getting up & around you can make your own dog sling to help.
“We’ve noticed even though there’s a dog bed, in order for them to all snuggle together, they’d rather sleep on the floor,” Mora said. “They like to actually be bundled up together to sleep.”Teach Your Children to Ask Permission Before Petting a Strange Dog. There are 4.5 million dog bites in America each year, half of which happen to children. Make sure to teach your children to ask permission before petting any strange dogs.
“He comes right up to me, like, ‘What are you doing with her? Where is she going?’” Mora said. “They’re so attached. It’s going to be a little bit of a process, but I’m very hopeful that we’ll find a home that will take all four.”
Mora is grateful for all the “support and love” people are sending to Oliver, Winston, Isabelle and Izzy. The shelter has even started receiving emails from people interested in adopting all four dogs. Mora said the shelter is currently accepting adoption applications and will carefully evaluate each one to ensure the dogs find a good home.Reduce Stress. Dr. Becker notes, “The key is to reduce anxiety triggers.” If you have a vet visit, “don’t get the carrier out the night before,” give them a few days to get prepared. If they’re nervous alone or travelling, play soothing music, or draw the shades. The less stimulus pets receive from the outside world, the less anxiety they’ll have about events outside their control.
Mora hopes this tragedy will motivate pet lovers to make contingency plans for their pets in case of emergencies, whether asking loved ones if they would be willing to take in a pet or donate to a nonprofit that will pledge to shelter and re-home the animal if need be.
“Make a plan for your pets just in case anything unforeseeable happens to you,” she advised. “It’s a conversation you should start having. ‘What will happen to my pets if something were to happen to me? Where would they go?’ We would love people to start having those conversations and making plans for their pets.”