I'm sorry - I know this is totally OT, but I'm just so sad and I feel that this is such a caring, supportive community, and I know there are a lot of animal lovers here.

My much-loved cat of sixteen years passed away on Friday morning. It was quite sudden, although not completely unexpected. I basically held her until the end, which was a bit traumatic, but I hope she knew to the end that she was loved. I wrote about her in my blog, which is, I think, the way writers deal with most things in our lives.

I just wanted to ask any of you out there with pets to give them a little extra love today - a kiss, maybe a treat. We get so much from our little furry friends. As hard as it is, I'm glad I had her for so long, and I hope she enjoyed being in my company.