I know the pain of loosing a long time pet. I rescued a two week old kitten that had been abandoned. Bottle feeding and the whole ten yards teaching her to be a cat. We failed miserably on the cat part. I don't think that Tabitha knew that she was a cat. Very loyal and loving feline that was always my constant shadow. Met me at the door when she heard me get home. Sixteen years of being apart of our family and having to say goodbye killed me. Same story, tumor in her bladder and left kidney. Held her while she was put to sleep. That was 4 months ago and when I look at her pics I still get a lump in my throat. I don't know where people get the bad opinion of cats. You spend time and show love to one and you also have a friend for life.