I had to put my sweet cat Brad to sleep 2 weeks ago. She was 17 and 1/2 years old. I feel lucky to have had her for so many years, but I sure miss her. She was the best cat. The last year was tough though. By the end, the nursing care was pretty intense - insulin shots, subcutaneous fluids, several oral meds. Diabetic neuropathy and arthritis made it so she could barely walk.
I went to a party Friday where there was a psychic and I'm skeptical about that stuff but the first thing she said when I sat down is 'Did you just put a cat to sleep? Because I see a cat behind you.' Weird. But also not. Brad will always be with me.