We had to put our cat Vito to sleep today.
I've never had to do anything like that and it was one of the saddest experiences in my life. Vito was diagnosed as having cancer a few weeks ago. He developed a tumor on the side of his neck seemingly overnight. He had also lost a lot of weight. When Vito was healthy he weighed 14 pounds. Today he weighed in at 7 and he had lost nearly 2 pounds since he was diagnosed. We fed him his favorite rich foods over the past couple of weeks but he would eat very little. We decided to put him down yesterday pending the vets opinion. He said that if it was his cat he would put him down. The veterinarian actually cried after he administered the fatal injection. Vito loved people, and most people loved Vito.
Jen (my wife) has a big ol' soft heart and this was tearing her up. She got Vito from a no-kill shelter 7 years ago. He had been at the shelter for 7 years and we don't know how old he was when he got there. He only had one eye; the other was removed due to severe infection. He was also kind of mean at the shelter. Those two things probably are the reasons why Vito was never adopted. But Jen took him in and gave him a loving home, and what do you know? He turned into a sweet little guy. Here are a few pictures of me and Vito along with our dog Swifty taken about a year ago when he was healthy.
Just hanging out with the guys.
Here we are enjoying some premium brew.
Bye-bye for now, little buddy. We'll see you on the other side. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
pets are such special gifts. It is always a difficult loss 
It is always hard. Always. But you did the right thing for her. It is harder to watch them suffer.
spent with you two.
He will definitely be there to greet you all on the other side...
Tikki
It IS hard. But our pets rely on us to take care of them...
And you did. You released him from the pain and burdens of being so sick...
My heart goes out to you in this time of loss...
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... two years ago now and that loss has not really subsided at all (partly as my lease/circumstances don't
allow another cat to rescue right now).
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Mega-kudos to Jen for saving an older, disabled cat. You two are both ultra-sweethearts -- no WONDER
you fell for each other.
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Nice to see the biballs again!!!
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(on edit -- JUST so people won't go back and gawk -- that's bib-alls (as in "coveralls)... NOT "bi-balls"
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At least you loved Vito enough notto let him suffer. 
Vito was a very handsome boy. Big hugs to you and Jen.
before on DU. I hope you and your wife will find it comforting.
When I am gone release me and let me go.
I have too many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be thankful for our wonderful years.
I gave to you my love, you can only guess . . .
how much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown,
but now it's time I traveled on alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a time that we must part,
so bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me call, and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear.
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then when you must pass this way alone,
I'll greet you with a purr and say "Welcome Home!"
clearly a well-loved kitty
I just lost my 18 year old Bombay about 10 days ago. She also had cancer (colon) and lost a lot of weight. I also got her from a no-kill shelter 10 years ago, and for the last 5 she's been living with my dad so he wouldn't be so lonely after Mom died. In fact, the vet was ready to put her down on Jan 6, but that was the exact 5 yr anniversary of my mom's death, so we kept her home and let her fade naturally.
I'll tell you what I told my dad (and what you and Jen already know) You gave Vito an amazing life, probably adding a few years to it when you brought him home from the shelter. He died without pain, and knew you guys loved him. And best of all, he's beyond suffering now.
Happy Trails, Vito! May all your paths be filled with catnip from now on.
I see he turned a blind eye to your drinking.
he looks to be quite the handsome and wonderful little guy. he's got some good company on the other side of the bridge.
to you and jen.
And he knew it.
It is never easy.
Take comfort in knowing that you gave Vito a wonderful life in a loving home.