I was looking for the poem by Jimmy Stewart about his dog Beau, which I found, and I read some posts by others who have lost their loved pets. I can't find my way back there, but I'll add my thoughts here.

For us who have shared our lives with a pet, it is not "just a cat" or "Just a dog" or Just an anything. It is a friend, a confident, a very important part of our lives. Today I had to put my cat - actually a cat planted upon me by a daughter who had places to go, things to do, no time for the cat - to sleep. He was almost 15 years old and I had him for 10 years. He saw me through the loss of my aunt, and an uncle; I saw him through diabetes and glaucoma, giving him shots and eyedrops for these past 4 years.

He sat on my lap most nights and purred and shared his warmth with me. He let me cry on his fur and was my friend.

I will always miss this little guy - his golden fur and solemn manner. I can only hope that he is at peace and in comfort.