The good news is that today we know so much more about keeping ourselves, and the people we love, healthy. The bad news is that there is so much more information we need to remember and store – dates of immunization, names of drugs, specialists for every part of the body and for diseases we haven’t even heard of. At this point, we can’t even remember the name of the herb we’re taking to improve our memory. And let’s face it. The older we get (and the people we have to take care of), the longer the list of physicians, medical insurance policies, and hospital group numbers.

And not to be petty, but nothing drives us loonier than losing our contact lenses or reading glasses and not having out prescriptions at hand. We’ve spent many an hour squinting at labels before buying a pair of those drugstore babies. An oh-so-attractive look you probably know so well.

The need to get our hands on vital numbers and information happens at the most unexpected times. While playing with her neighbor’s new, adorable puppy, he not so adorably bit down on Nadine’s finger. Sitting in the emergency room, contemplating a lawsuit (suing a puppy wouldn’t play with a jury, would it?), Nadine couldn’t answer the one question her physician asked, “When was the last time you had a tetanus shot?” Now the names and dates of her tests and shots are written in her Ultimate Organizer in indelible ink.

Of course, there are important diagnostic tests we’re supposed to take every year. When was the last time you had a chest X-ray? But if we don’t write down what the test is, when we look at it, and when the next one’s due, what’s the point? And can we just talk about the contents of our hospital bag before we created our checklist? Without going into details, let us simply to bring your own nightgown or robe. Take it from us, when walking the halls, it does a lot to hide what the hospital gown doesn’t, if you catch our drift.

Fill out our health insurance and prescription drug forms and never again have to scramble for vital information. We’ll watch your back, and every other part of you as well.

Preview the Ultimate Organizer. Download a sample of the Family Health forms. Click Here.

It’s just our little secret. And we’re not entirely proud of ourselves. But when it comes to our dogs, we admit we’d take them over our husbands and children any day of the week. Leaving them when we go to work or on a trip is such sweet sorrow; we want whoever we have left in charge of our pooches to memorize the rule book. Cold. Especially when you have a puppy, like Nadine’s Benny, who barks when he first sees a stranger and then, as soon as they pet him, invites them up to see the jewelry. That would be a NO.

And particularly if you’re traveling, no matter whether you have a dog, cat, or snake, it’s important to have the emergency numbers front and center for the vet and animal hospital. You also need our checklist to make sure your pet sitter has every pet supply (and instructions) needed to keep the little critters well fed and comfortable. The special chicken treats, an extra red rubber ball… Benny’s not so sure about the green one. Did we mention he will only sleep in the gray bed if it’s in the den? Not the bedroom. And that little darling gets earaches, so if he shakes his head a lot, Nadine wants him to get two drops of the medicine every night, please.

A pet sitter also needs your travel itinerary when you’re away. Not to make us all seem pathetic, but our dogs have been known to call us just to let us know they ate their kibble. Just fill out your itinerary and attach it to the refrigerator with your pet’s favorite magnet. Not so high, please, so he doesn’t have to jump up to read it.

Preview the Ultimate Organizer. Download a sample of the Pets forms. Click Here.