When I was young, we had a small cat playfully attacked by a dog and had to put him down. I have always had cats. As I type this, the best cat I have ever had is laying right next to me. My Wife thinks the world of him too. Just the other day, we put ourselves in a sorta gloom mood when it was brought up that we have already had him for right at 8 years. We got him from my Wife's friend when he was just a few weeks old. The idea that his life is already about half over bothers us. Man o man!! I think both of us will be a wreck FOR A WHILE when that bad day comes. I had to put down a cat, about 13 years ago, that I was not nearly as attached to and it took me 45 minutes to get the nerve to get out of my car at the Vet's parking lot. I TOTALLY understand that you actually do them a favor and they would actually thank you for it if they could.... they are at peace etc etc.... but it REALLY REALLY sucks!