Perhaps if you show your friends some of the replies on this thread, they might have a change of heart. If the old cat was sick the kind thing would be to have it PTS but it isn't; it's simply old and there's no good reason that I can think of to have an old cat PTS. My Pidgie was a testament to what a quality life an old cat can live w/hardly any extra care involved. She needed meds twice a day; big deal. I hope all my Fur Posse live as long.