Carole, my heart goes out to you......my vet told me that when the kidneys start to fail the kitty gets a really bad taste in its mouth which makes food taste so bad it doesn't want to eat....that's what happened with my Charles. He was still perky mentally (considering he was almost 18 yrs old) and still responded to being loved up but I too knew it was time to say goodby.....
Sending all of you warm fuzzy thoughts......