by Marion
I didn't know how I would feel, I never imagined the thoughts would go through my head. My 18 year old sweetheart of a kitty is passing from this life tonight and the best I can do it sit by him, stroking his rumpled fur. He has been such a good boy all these years, we rescued him from the animal shelter and brought him home to the delight of our two daughters. He brought such joy to our lives, he always was doing something interesting to bring a smile to our faces. He developed into a gorgeous, big, healthy, strong fellow. He adored his jaunts around the yard, scaring us to death when we couldn't find him and all the time he was lyng under a bush watching us frantically searching. He would come to the door when he was good and ready. As his health deteriorated and we watched the big, strong cat decline into the weak creature that he has become, we knew this day would be soon here. But now that it's come, it's no easier to let him go. We didn't want to have it come to the point where we would have to take him to the vet's to be put down, we wanted him to go at his own chosing. And he is lovingly doing that now to save us the trauma of having it done for him. And I thank God for that and for all the wonderful years that we have had. I have to return to his side and stroke him some more and hope that he knows I am there so he isn't afraid. He is very still, just breathing slowly with his eyes shut, quite peaceful but unresponsive. I pray he doesn't linger too long, he was too dear a kitty to have to suffer.