I'm sorry to hear about your loss.   But please dont feel guilty for
waiting so long, or think "I couldn't let it go".

I, too, am trying to keep a cat alive in a desperate situation (3 yr old
cat w kidney failure).

The thing is, unless you are God or the owner of a genuine crystal ball,
you really can't tell when is 'too long', or exactly when to let it go.
Thru the years I've had two old cats die on me, and there's good days
and then there's bad days, and then there'll be more good days, and more
bad days.....and how do you know when the bad days have come to stay,
never to be followed by any more good days?  Its not a steady preditable
decline toward death.  

I'm struggling with this issue right now, with Fluffy Skye - yesterday
evening, her breathing seemed to be labored, and I tossed and turned all
night, even in my dreams, dreading that today I might need to take her
to have it ended.    ........but, this morning, she looked rested, was
breathing normally, and even did a small bit of walking.   So, we are
going to keep going on.

I'm sure your cat was up and then down, good and then bad, too.   So,
dont beat yourself up.  

The thing is, as long as there is life, there is hope.   It maybe slim,
but it is still hope.   I'm sure that's what you had in your heart and
mind while caring for your kitty.    

Your kitty died on his own schedule, when it was time for him to go, and
he died in his own home.   That is not a 'bad' thing.

So, don't feel guilty.   We all love our precious kitties, and whether
we make the decision to euthanize, or whether we dont, I'm sure we are
all doing the best we can for our cats.....and that's all anybody can
do.

And, yeah, I  hate this crazy life that robs us of our
loved ones, too.

But, when I go, I know there's going to be a couple of cats there
waiting for me to come and be with them and we will be in our "Forever"
home, forever.

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grieving loss of pet  

Group: rec.pets.cats.health+behav Date: Thu, Sep 30, 2004, 1:18am From:
mabramso@hotpop.com (Myriam Abramson)
My cat had squaamous cell carcinoma for the past six months. I couldn't
let it go. I feel guilty for waiting so long. My cat died of a seizure
before I could get him to the emergency room. I thought I had some time,
maybe a couple more weeks with him. I knew he looked much worse than
usual the last day but he still ate his meal. He was there for me for 15
years and then he couldn't wait any longer.
I hate this crazy life that robs us of the time to spend with our loved
ones.
                                                                      myriam

Do you guys not have vets who will make housecalls to euthanise pets at
home? It's fairly common practice here in NZ, with much-loved pets. I was
down in Christchurch a few months ago for my Dad's 75th birthday, and they
had decided it was time for their very elderly dog (not sure exactly how
old, as she'd come from the pound, but at least 17)  to be put down, as
she'd lost any enjoyment in life. The day before it happened, all the
grandkids were round saying "bye bye" to Libby and patting her and making a
fuss. When the vet called Mum and Dad and I were there with Libby, Dad
holding and patting her in her yard. It was all very quick (I was amazed at
how quick, actually) and she died in her yard, surrounded by her pack!

A few years earlier my sister had to have the last of their four cats down
(with three children now, they're putting off getting any more until life
has calmed down a bit). Again, the vet came to the home, and the cat was put
down being cuddled by my sister, in the sunshine in the conservatory.