I have had the heap Ummmm - and it is up and down in bloods, blood pressure, cholesterol and now diabetes.
I'm not too worried about the above - I just want to make sure that Maxie will get good help if I take sick. Families are great but if they're not dog lovers I can't put that task of ownership of Maxie on them.
Why not talk to Dogs Trust or others that have been suggested here. Ask them how you can insure Maxie is taken care of. When you have the answers you need make a will and stipulate what you have arranged for Maxie. Meanwhile don’t dwell too much on your health and immortality but enjoy every day to the full with Maxie and friends
You can Google the Cinnamon Trust, their base is in Cornwall but they have volunteers everywhere, though not sure about Northern Ireland. They specialise in the care of pets for ill or elderly people and have foster carers and homes for the pets of people who pass away. My daughter walked a dog for an elderly lady who lived near us.
S