My cat.

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. It's awful and you miss them so much. You'll miss him for ages and it's OK. It's a big thing to you. ((hug))

We did that with an old spaniel or ours; at first she sulked [she really did sulk and ignored me for ages] but then the youngster breathed new life into her for a while.

I think it is actually more helpful to be with your pet when they are put to sleep. I have always done this. Now we have an elderly dog who is just old and frail. For some reason we have got a puppy before he goes...and the puppy adores the old boy, licks him and loves him....

crimson, thank you. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing him die, but when the vet phoned and suggested it would benefit him as well as me, I went immediately. I'm so, so glad that I did. I don't think I could go through this again. We've no other pets and a few years ago would've been tempted to get another rescue cat before long. Maybe as you get older it seems to hurt even more. I don't know.

I've cried myself dry many a time after losing my pets; dogs and cats. It's compounded by the fact that they are with us 24/7 so the void they leave in our lives and homes is immense. I know awful things are happening around the world, but this is happening to you now and it's your pain and you have every right to be hurting. At least you were with him at the end which I think is VERY important and, strangely enough will help the healing process. We also, with pets, have to make every decision for them, and I've often tormented myself with feeling that I've got it wrong sometimes. My pony died in my arms several years ago, and I can't even think about it and very rarely go to the field where she died. I still miss her terribly.

Bless you. xx

I totally understand how distraught you must be feeling. I have pets but it is hard for people who aren't "animal" people to understand how this feels. You need to grieve and don't feel bad about it.

I don't know you but a "big hug". Losing a loved pet is terrible.