I just buried Wench

I appreciate your kind comments, GreenWitch and Chai. Did someone say something?

No, gus. Go back to sleep. The medicine won't even hurt.

Nice bouncy.. what? Oh, kitties.... it was kitties!!

Oh please, Mr Stillwater, don't get us started on a discussion of "the dead cat bounce." There is some economic theory -- too complicated to explain here -- that uses that as its shorthand. Really. I am not making this up.

Actually, RJB, I think he confused his consonants for a bit. For Gus, though, I know all too well from my own and my clients' pets how tough this can be. My girl Goofy is now nine years old and diabetic, and I dread the day I know is coming. The best we can do is love and enjoy them while we can.

so sorry to hear it Gus. The next cute and fluffy thing that tries to snag me I will send on to you.

I am sorry for your loss. This was a beloved family member. Not a "cat" so to speak. God be with you.

So sorry for this loss of a lifetime loved one. God be with you.

My sincere condolences Gus. I told my little buddies, Claws and Madam Fluff about your loss and they were very sad and wouldn't eat their supper.

My friend and I had a cute black cat. She was the echt breed with olive green eyes. Sometimes looked quite satanic, and had a habit of sitting with disdainful coolness upon the roof of the neighbour's extension. Rather old, at 18yr. Got knocked off a chair and rendered blind and deaf. Nursed her for a week but she couldn't groom herself. Took her in a box to a well known pet dispensary for poor people in Barking Road. Held her as the vet injected the lethal overdose, and cried "we are so sorry". Walked back to Canning Town tube station like a pair of sentimental fools with tears running down our cheeks. How terrible it is to agree to end the life of a creature one has loved. Let none of us forget that mortality is built into life.

I'm sorry for your loss. I had 2 cats for 17 yrs and had to bury them both in last 2 years, too...due to their old age. Other than them having accidents with cars (you can't teach them to drive), they were healthy until the end.

Now it's 1.5 yrs later and I have a 3 yr old rescue white border collie. Pets are special souls and when you live alone, they make the difference.