My cat.

You did theright thing for your beloved cat and ensured he didn't suffer. You were there with him at the end and made sure he knew he was loved. It was so very hard for you to lose your furry friend but the best way to go for him. I wish that so many people could have such a good end to their lives.

all this has made me cry - i had to leave my cat behind when we left the UK.I know she is well looked after living with our gardener but still miss her.
I have been trying to tame a feral cat here -it now comes to the door and meows for food but will not let me within 10feet. Still, maybe with time . .

Green......Had to do this for last three cats, one at 13, one at 15 and the last at 19. The first was a pedigree and the last two rescue cats. I was never going to have another cat and go through the pain but I have because he needed a home! It broke my heart every time I had to make the decision but in hindsight knew it was the right thing to do. If only we could make the same choice when aged relatives get to the stage in life when life as we know it does not exist anymore. I have a father-in-law in a dementia care home and my mother-in-law is going into respite care following a fall tomorrow. They are 90 and 91. Obviously I cannot compare my in-laws to the cats but a big part of me thinks that pets have the painless and quickest way out at times of serious illness including being held by the person that loved them most in this world.

What lovely and sensitive comments have been made by all of you. I've read some out to DH and we both so appreciate what you've all said. I'm so glad I was there for the wee lad at the end. I don't know if he knew his time was at its end, but he rubbed his face against mine as I held him and spoke silly words to him. We've decided that we WILL have another cat...we go on holiday in the middle of October, and when we come back our plan is to visit Cat's Protection's local shelter and find another wee cat.

I've been there, GMG, and it is heartbreaking. I haven't taken on new cats but am going to meet my new 'grandkittens' at the weekend. Can't wait!

Annobel you will be surely smitten!

Smitten - rhymes with kitten! Now you've given me an idea for a poem for our U3a writers' group!

greenmossgiel I hope you and DH have a lovely holiday that will help you get over the death of your cat. I hope, too, that you find a new wee cat with just the right personality when you return. Clearly, it will be one that falls on its paws if it comes to live with such caring people.

absentgrana, thankyou. We've looked on the Cat's Protection website and there are so many cats that need lots of love - there'll be one who picks us out for sure! (And Annobel your poem will flow off your pen - glad to be of help!!)