I am so sorry to hear all of this. I really don't know what to say. I also had to put down my kitty of 22 years. Before our 3 children, before we were married, there was Sammy the cat. Sammy never did really take much to the kids. She was even more indifferent to the dogs when they came along. She was a loner and an independant soul. She was an outdoor cat and a tree climber and bird catcher. She was active almost all the way until the end. It all happened so fast. At about 21 years Sammy just suddenly could not jump up on the counter (Yes, she was still jumping up on the counter to see you if you were doing dishes or leaning at the sink) any longer. And then from there, lots of house accidents - continual. Nothing I could do to stop her from urinating everywhere. Ruined the entire lower floor carpeting. But she still came upstairs every night and jumped up on the bed with my wife and I, snuggled at our feet and slept through until we awoke in the AM. Then finally she couldn't even jump on the bed. She began peeing upstairs. I started seeing blood in her urine. I had her to the vet several times and although her health was failing, she - like yours - didn't seem to be in any particular pain.

The vet said, "Sammy is old" and things are just failing. But otherwise, she was in remarkable shape for a cat 22 years old (and an outdoor one). "Whatever I wanted to do"... Each time, I came back home with Sammy. I think to everyone's surprise. Although everyone loved Sammy, I know they all thought it was time.

But when YOU are ultimately the one making that FINAL call, it is not as easy. I know. I know because although they all thought it was the right thing and appropriate. They did not ultimately take her there, hold her and watch her slip away. I don't know if there is ever an easy way. I do know that it would have probably been cruel to let Sammy waste away as she would have probably gone through some devasting setbacks and ultimate pain if I hadn't made the decision that I did (although it was still tough). I took Sammy back with me (that was also tough) and buried her on the hillside behind my house where she used to run and play and climb trees as a kitten. I hope she is happy there! I hope you have the strength and support to know what is right and when to act when that time comes. Peace be with you.

Dan (Bob's Dad)