That is just part of the deal having a pet. Having experienced these things many times, I really feel for Dean. Our animals give us unadultered love. To be with them at the end is the very least we can do for them. Kudos to you all!
Jnite, the batteries falling out don’t effect anything other than operation of the remote. All those settings remain the same. The batteries simply power the remote.
Ah, the dumbing down of America.