I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty woes, twicks, but you’re doing the right thing for Elvis and you know you will be there right up until the end. Elvis will leave you knowing you loved and cared for him all the way through, and that’s more than a lot of us get with out kitties.
Wow, 19 is a ripe old age for a kitty. He must’ve been very well loved and cared for. I’m so sorry you have to go through this.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Nothing that I can say will make the pain less. None-the-less, know that you are in my thoughts. Sending supporting thoughts your way.
I’m so sorry, twickster. Losing a kitty is tough.
I would like to say that Elvis is an awesome name for a cat.
Sending supportive thoughts your way.
I’m so sorry.
Although, I can’t help but picture your cat with little Elvis sideburns.
I’m so sorry. We had to do the same thing last Thursday with our beloved cat Howard. The week before, our other cat passed away…its been hard. Not an easy thing go through. My heart goes out to you.
Thanks for the hugs and support, all.
I’ve got to go get dressed and find a box to carry him in – I’m not gonna put him in the carrier, he freakin’ hates the carrier – and it would be too much to see him unable to fight being stuck in there.
Well, it’s done. They made it as painless as possible, both for Elvis and for me. The vet even gave me a hug when it was over.
scritches for Elvis 
I need to go cuddle with my kitty now. {{{crying}}}}
I am so sorry, hugs coming your way…
twickster–it’s always hard.
And, in the end, it is something we have to do.
I’m sorry for your troubles.
I’m so sorry for you. It’s incredibly painful.
I, too, am crying in empathy right now: in the summer of 2004 I had to have my 18-year-old cat, Smokey, put to sleep. Similar symptoms as your Elvis; I think her body just couldn’t go on anymore. There was an indication of kidney failure, and by the end there was fluid in her lungs.
I had a mobile vet, and she and her assistant came to the house to put Smokey down. The whole morning while I was waiting I was on the verge of calling and cancelling, but then I’d watch her not be able to walk to her water bowl and I’d know I was doing the right thing. They put her down in the living room, and took her with them when they left. That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and I’m glad I don’t live in that house anymore.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry.
I had to have this done with my kitty Meep last year (she was only five) and I know how hard it is. My condolences on your loss, and may Elvis spend his afterlife in fields of catnip, sunny sleeping spots and slow mice, always remembering his wonderful years with you.
{{{twicks}}} I’m so sorry. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Elvis had a long, full and loving life because of you.
My sympathies.
twicks - my sympathy. It’s the worst day of my life every day I’ve made that trip to the vet, I know it is for you too.
I read this yesterday and today, but couldn’t post. Not until you put his picture on here. Now I have to say thank you. I saved him in my screensaver file, with other pictures of my cats, and other Doper’s pets. Now every so often, he’ll flash on my monitor for a few seconds and one more person will remember him, if only just for a second or two.
[apologies to twicks for the hijack]
That’s so awesome! May I ask you to please add Smokey?
[/apologies to twicks for the hijack]
No apologies needed – what a pretty cat she was!
That is so sweet! You should start a thread for Dopers to post their lost loved pets and build a screensaver file for everyone.
{{{{{{{{{{{{twicks}}}}}}}}}}}}}