Thanks, I didn't know that "shaking" stunned the prey. That makes everything a bit more comforting. I still feel horrible, like it could've been prevented. *IF* only the dog wouldn't have been let loose...*IF* only Dad would've been a few minutes earlier/later...*IF* only Tom wouldn't have been let out...
There's always the "what if" questions aren't there?

Tom was such a good boy. During his last days, rather than mess in the floor, he would DRAG (he couldn't walk) himself to the litterbox. He was so unsteady that he couldn't stand/sit up. He'd lay in the box until someone could help him.

As I stated earlier, the bond we shared was very strong. One summer, my mom and I traveled to see her father; Dad stayed behind. Dad said that everynight--without fail--Tom would go into my room and cry for me. I also remember when I returned home from the same trip. It was really late at night and Tom met me at the door, purring. I immediately picked him up and went to bed. I fell asleep to his purr. He didn't leave my side until we got up for breakfast the next morning.

I'll never forget my special guy.