In case you missed yesterday’s column, Betty is my neighbor who was found dead in her apartmenton Friday. She is survived byher two 6-year-old dogs, a male Lhasa Apso anda female Shih Tzu (yesterday I reported that both dogs are Shih Tzus; sorry for the error).

The shrine on the stoop where Betty used to hold court keeps expanding, with more flowers and cards, including one that reads “Elizabeth Spicer, You’ll Be Missed!”

Meanwhile, Betty’s two beloved dogs, Marshy the Lhasa and Happy theShih Tzu, are both safe at the office ofa local veterinarian, where they’ve received a thorough check-up, including blood work and vaccinations,plus grooming. I hearthey are doing well, andwillpost a photo of them soonest.

Betty did what every dog owner should do: She made provisions for her dogs in the event that something would separate her from them.

It helps that her upstairs neighbor is Melissa Donaldson, who works for the prestigious Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Founded in 2002, the Mayor’s Alliance is a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters, allworking with the city shelter, Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C), to end the killing of healthy and treatable dogs and cats at AC&C shelters. The Alliance’s ultimate goal is to transform New York City into a no-kill community by 2015. That’s a beautiful thing.

It’s not surprising that Melissa is part of the Alliance team; she’s one of those calm, can-do peoplewho radiate authority. Betty recently discussed her concerns about her health and her dogswith her upstairs neighbor, and Melissa promised Betty that if anything were to happen, she wouldn’t let Marshy and Happy wind up at the city shelter; she would find them a good home.

And true to her word,she has taken responsibility for Betty’s dogs.

“The goal is to place them with one of our [Mayor’s Alliance] rescue organizations that will keep them together,” Melissa said yesterday. “I’m just so glad I wasthere when the ambulance came on Friday.”

If you’d like to make a donation to help pay for the care of Betty’s dogs, go here.

What provisions have you made in the event that the inevitable separates you from your dogs? Pleaseshare your thoughtsin the comments.