Two years ago I had to put down my 11 year old Kitty. It was very hard and I spent the day before her appointment telling her how much she had meant to me and how I hoped she had a good life with me as well.
I could not go into the room with her and to this day I feel as though I betrayed her trust. They took her down the hall and she was looking at me as if to say, "hey, what's going on?"
I took her home to bury her and she looked so sweet and beautiful curled into a little sleeping kitty position. She was a very small cat, only about 4 pounds with big round eyes.
To top it all off, about 6 months later my mother passed away.
Sometimes when I watch the Humane Society commericials, I realize that Kitty had a super life with my family. So deep in my heart I know that just having and taking care of a pet is an act of kindness. We do as much for them as they do for us.
Now I have a 'stray' named, Baby. She has become the love of my life. I think little Kitty sent her my way to "unbreak my heart" and to soften all the loss I experienced that year.

Kitty

Baby