I'm really sorry to hear about your furbaby Una. Take care.

Oh, so sorry to hear this. Hugs to you, Una. 17 years is a nice long life.

I am so sorry for you and your kitty. Take comfort in remembering how he grew up with you and your family. May the next part of his life be full of peace......

Oh Una, I'm so sorry. Big hugs to you. You are making the compassionate decision.

Oh Una - I am soooo sorry to read this! I'm thinking about you and your family and Riley. I'm glad that he's getting some cuddles during his last few days. Such a difficult decision to make - I've done it many times - and tear up everytime I think of the little guys I've had to say goodbye to over the years. Take care of yourself. Sending you lots of love.

My heart goes out to you!

Oh, Una! I have been in the same situation twice in these past two years, and my heart goes out to you.

Take comfort in knowing that the decision you have made is the kindest, most caring thing for Riley. If he could speak, he would tell you how much he hurts, how weary he is. He has lived a long, loving and love-filled life. You are now offering Riley the ultimate act of selflessness - the release from suffering, even knowing you will grieve.

It’s a difficult hurdle, but once passed I believe that you will feel a certain peace settle in your soul, knowing you did the right thing. If possible, have the vet come to your home, so that Riley will be in familiar surroundings as you say good-bye.

I believe in the Rainbow Bridge, “just this side of heaven” - beyond which is a golden place where all of our beloved pets run and play, sound and strong and free of pain. I believe they wait for us there - I believe we will be with them again.

Until then, cradle Riley in your arms - he will feel the love - and then release him and let him fly.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Sorry to hear that, it is such a difficult decision. I know you will do what is best for your fur baby.Lots of hugs to you and your family.

Heavy heart here, been through this many times myself and it never gets any easier

Please, please accept my sympathies. I just lost my beloved cat of 15 years, Emily, to kidney failure before Christmas. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, and even after all these weeks, I still burst into tears at times and am just wrecked over it.

It really helped that people around me were remarkably kind and that there were a lot of resources out there for people going through a pet loss--both in terms of books, websites, and pet loss support groups. I went to a local group and there were even people there who had not yet lost their pets, but knew it was coming soon and were trying to cope with this. It helped a lot to be able to share and grieve our imminent and recent losses in a safe supportive space.

My thoughts are with you and your family and your beloved Riley. I am so sorry.

Oh no, I'm so sorry Una. Poor furbaby Riley. You're making the right choice, even though it's very very hard to let them go. But it's the right choice. Hang in there and give him lots of love.

Thank you all so much for the support and sharing of your own losses. I know you all understand how much it hurts to lose a pet, no matter how inevitable and humane it is.

It looks like it's going to be tomorrow, although he may not make it through the night. I have a hearing and appointments all day. Luckily our vet is my best friend and climbing partner, so she has offered to come to our house in the evening if needed. It will be tough for us, but more peaceful for him to not have to get in the crate and go somewhere he hates.

I'll post a couple of photos of him as a young jungle tiger if I can find them.

So sorry you have to go through this. Sending hugs.

I'm really sorry Una. It's so hard to decide when is time to let them go. I understand how sad you must feel. I am glad your little guy is blessed with such a loving family.

I am SO SORRY. I am sure Riley has lived a very charmed life with you!

You are so lucky to have a vet willing to come to your kitty... our childhood dog died on a Sunday, and my parents could not find a place to take her -- awful. Riley will have had the pest possible life right up to the end. :T

So sorry for your cat! They become a part of our family. Hugs!

BIG GIANT ((Hugs)) for you Riley and you Una. This is a bridge I am yet to cross and yet the very thought is unbearable. Hope you will find joy and relief in having been the best friend and dearest mommy to Riley.

So Sorry.

So sorry, Una. Hugs.

Just sending lots of love your way during this difficult time.

Una, I'm very sorry hear about your kitty. We had to put one of our cats down over Christmas and it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. My thoughts are with you during this very sad and difficult time.

I have been avoiding this thread as discussions about pet loss are so painful, but it certainly wouldn't be nice of me not to extend my sympathies. I'm sorry you have to make this terrible decision, and even more sorry for your baby's condition. I know whatever decision you make will be the best decision possible.

Again, thank you all so much. We are getting our last cuddles in, as the appointment is tomorrow morning. Then, of all things, we are going on a long-planned double date with our vet and her husband (who is the doctor who delivered my son). Not sure if I'll be up for it, but maybe getting dressed up and going to a murder mystery dinner/fundraiser will be distracting for a bit. I've arranged a sleepover for our son so he can have some distraction also.

I can't tell you how much I sympathize with all of you who have or will go through this. As many pets as I've had, it's the one part of pet ownership that is so painful.

Maya, I totally understand... and thanks.

Oh Una, I'm so sorry for this situation

I can assure you (after a few years spent working in a vet surgery), that your beautiful furbaby will know he was loved, and will go so much more peacefully.

Know that I am thinking of you.

I'm sorry Una

I said goodbye to my little Chester Bubbles at the ripe old age of 17 last year.
He wasn't well for some time and had "doggie dementia".

But it was still the right thing to let him go.

I still miss him though. Riley will always have a part of your heart.

Love and hugs xo

Thinking of you, Una, and wishing you warm, comforting thoughts.

I totally agree that this is the worst part about pet ownership. I've had both situations happen - having a sick pet that you have to decide to put down, or having a pet die very suddenly, and both situations hurt. Each time I thought I would never, ever find another pet I'd love as much. And yet somehow months down the line, after missing the presence of a cuddly friend, I'd find that I was ready to open my heart and home again.

I am very sorry to hear this Una. My thoughts are with you and your furbaby.

Hugs, Una. I've been thinking about you and Riley all day.

Oh, this just breaks my heart. I'm so, so sorry Una. I still miss my darling Ruby, and it was the toughest decision I've had to make. You are in my thoughts.

Una, I've been thinking of you all day. Please check in when you can.