Due: You’re never too old to open your heart to a new dog — even if it might outlive you

YOU KNOW YOU’RE GETTING OLDER when you’ve been the custodian of four or five dogs and cats in succession, each one a distinct personality and a charmer. Or a hellion charmer. There are plenty of those.

At what age does it occur to you that your pet might outlive you rather than the other way around? Once you cross the 75 barrier, these are thoughts that can’t be wished away. Yes, you may have lots of time left. But you can’t help but notice that certain things that seemed possible, even probable, now have become unreachable.