Lara, I think of Tiger and what a trooper he was too...except Barney does take his meds like a good boy!

An appointment for Barney doesn't have to be "the" appointment - though you and all of us know it probably will be. Unless Scott wants to be there, you can certainly ask Trudy what she thinks - "if it was your cat", that sort of thing. She may give him a bit more insulin and inject the tumour with pred...or she may suggest he go to the RB. She is the expert - you are the boss.

Like my mom's ancient Siamese, we hoped he would go in his sleep. He never did! He had mini-strokes, I think - so by the time she DID take him to the vet for his RB trip, he was so out of it that when I opened the carrier outside in the sunshine for him, he just stayed standing facing the back of the carrier...as he had for the car trip. He was 19 1/2.

So - it IS tough when they don't give you the sign. It's easy to think he goes back to his room to "be served" - he is a cat, after all!

When I was stuck on this type of decision years ago, I asked the vet, "If I did decide to put him to sleep, would you think it was an inappropriate decision?" Immediately she said, "Not at all."

You know as well as any of us that the vet can't make the decision...but there is a way to get their opinion without putting them on the spot.

Did you give Barney kisses for me? Even if you did, can you give him a few more?

Bless you and your heart - you will do the right thing when it is time.