Sad

Sorry to hear about your loss. Saying goodbye is always so sad.

I am a total animal lover. Your pets become part of the family. It was the right thing for you to do, but I am sorry for you loss.

My husband and I when we married agreed we weren't going to have pets for quite a few years; 3 years later we got our first dog. Not even a year later we got a second one (our first needed a playmate!). And now, it's had to imagine what we were thinking and why we didn't have dogs before we did - we can't imagine life without them!!

So sorry about your cat, but at least you have other pets to comfort your family. It'll be hard, but just remember the times that made you smile and it'll be ok!

FireMonkey,

I have 3 cats: my "old maid" (she's really not that old - she just acts like it) Meine (chocolate point siamese); our wanderer and hunter (despite his lack of cahonas!) Columbus (oh so aptly named!) - he's HUGE, a tabby and then the latest addition who actually adopted US (seriously... the third time she came into our house, she just never left!) and my younger son named: Meowi, a dark calico. Meowi & Columbus are best friends, which is great because he used to try to get Meine to play and well... she's a very pretty cross eyed lump. LOL

At one time, we thought about getting rid of Columbus *because* of his hunting - we live in a large metropolitan city and I have a pond (har har) and I couldn't imagine he could possibly be his happiest or safest. But since the arrival of Meowi, can't ever do it. They would be devastated without each other.

Before the two newest, I had another dark calico, Myschieva. She was 7, 8 years old. She was my "baby" in a big way. I'm not sure what happened (I have my suspicions), and although she hated the outdoors - she left one day; I presume to die as she got out of a window that even Meine - who does like to be outside - wouldn't jump out of. Plus, she was far too attached to me to just disappear for any other reason. I never got to say goodbye and I miss her terribly. That was .. I guess about 5 years ago. There's something about not getting that closure that has the sorrow linger. It is good that 1) your kitty had such a loving environment and was probably an exceptionally happy feline; 2) that your family had the wherewithall to not keep her in so much discomfort - alot of people are not so strong/selfless; and most of all 3) you all had the opportunity to say your goodbyes. That is so important - for all of you.

hugs to you and your family. It is a sad time to lose such a dear friend.

So sorry to hear of the loss of your cat. :flowerforyou: It sounds like she had a good life with your family. I don't have a cat now, but I remember how hard it was to let go of one I had about 15 years ago. She had cancer and it was affecting her ability to walk as the growth had entered her spine. She was not in pain, but it was still a very hard decision.

More recently, the little grey and tan Shih tzu, ("Dreyfus") pictured in my ticker was diagnosed with cancer. I managed to keep him comfortable and happy for 4 months after the diagnosis, but I watched closely for the symptoms that would tell me it was time to let him go. When they came, it about killed me, but I did what had to be done.

I still have the Lhasa Apso ("Mai Li") also pictured in the ticker and my avatar, and I was given another Shih tzu ("Pepper") as a Christmas gift in 2008. More recently, I acquired a Yorkshire Terror--not a typo--"Bradley" is really good at getting into trouble. It is amazing to me that he has lived to be 13 years old. His momma passed away last summer. She was related to a good friend of mine, and her other two dogs were both 15 and in need of special care. My friend already had one of their litter mates, so she now cares for THREE geriatric Yorkies!! This one was in better health and we figured more adaptable to a new home as long as there were other dogs. He is my little shadow when I am home, and he and Pepper get very competitive about who gets the lap and who gets the part of the chair next to me when I sit down. Mai Li has learned to tolerate our newest addition since she figured out that whenever the little pirate goes on a breaking and entering expedition into food that is not his for the taking, he always "shares."

The three of them are know, collectively, as "The Three Little Pigs." This stems from an incident last Thanksgiving evening when I returned home from having dinner elsewhere to find the cupboard door ajar, and empty bag of doggie chew bones lying on the kitchen floor and three very thankful little "piggies" in my living room--each enjoying their own bone!!!:laugh: :laugh:

I know I will probably outlive all my "babies" but I wouldn't miss the joy they bring to my life.

It is very painful now, but concentrate on the good memories. With a 19 year old cat, I am sure you have plenty of them.

As a final bit of irony, I was about halfway through this post when Pepper decided it was time to migrate across my lap and jump to the ottoman. When he did "poof"--there went my post and I had to start over. :ohwell:

I'm in school to be a veterinary technologist and I will never, ever get used to saying goodbye to people's pets.. My friends dog was put down and I cried with him..

I am so sorry for your loss.. *HUGS*

****HUG*** My heart goes out to you. I have 5 furry friends and just love their antics. I can't imagine losing one.