May you someday meet in peace at the Rainbow Bridge
I’m so sorry. 
She was an awesome kitty!
Some photos over the years.
Your cat had the greatest life ever. Thank you so much for sharing her story. (I’m trying to hold back my tears here at work.)
I had my cats (my “girls”) for 16 and 17 years (at that time literally half my life, from age 17-34) and when they go it leaves a hole in your heart that time will eventually scab over but it will always be there.
KinkiNipponTourist said it wonderfully:
Everyone who has a soul will understand what you’re going through. My very deepest condolences for your loss.
Thanks for sharing the photos of Vira. She was a sweetie. 
Your story reminds me so much of my old cat Frankie, who surrendered his long life just a few months ago. My condolences to you and thank you so much for sharing Vira’s story with us.
I’m sorry about your cat.
She sure was a beauty!
She was so pretty and certainly had a wide array of wise looks. A grad old lass who had a grand old life.
There’s a book, by a NYT correspondent, about his many international travels with his cat, Henrietta. Maybe you’de enjoy it at some point. The Cat Who Covered the World. I believe Henrietta was also a grey tabby.
What a beautiful girl. What a beautiful life you had with her. I’m crying as I write this for you and for me. I lost my beloved Buzzsaw last year to cancer, and since she slept on my head for 15 years, I know how much you miss your girl.
So very sorry for your loss.
T.
My condolences, Chefguy. You had one of the special ones.
I am sorry for your loss. This brought a tear to my eye. One of my dogs is 16 years old and the time is coming to do the same. I know it’s the right thing to do, but it doesn’t make it any easier.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. She was beautiful indeed, and very photogenic! Thank you for sharing.
That’s a good idea–to have a program where vets make house calls to do what’s necessary when the time comes. I would think that being among familiar places and things would be much more comforting to the animal than the vet’s office, which may bring back bad memories, as well as being full of unfamiliar (and possibly worrisome) scents. It would be nice if other vets could work together to provide similar services in other cities.
That’s a wonderful eulogy to your old friend, Chefguy. My condolences.
My sincere condolences for your recent loss. The spirit of such a great friend will still reside within you.
I’m sorry for your loss. Vira was a beauty and a lucky girl to have such loving humans. I just lost my 18 year old cat in April and miss her terribly. These little sneaky felines sure have a way of capturing our hearts, eh? ((((Chefguy))))))
I’m sorry about your cat. I think spending some time at the shelter is a great idea. You never know, you might meet your next “best friend”.
I’m crying as I write this, Chefguy. My heart goes out to you. We had my beloved Oops for twenty years of the most fulfilling love I’ve ever felt, & after five years, I still thinking her every day. I send you the deepest hugs I can send to a stranger, and I hope you’re right that we meet them again some day.
What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful kitty.
I’m so sorry that you had to lose her.
So sorry that you have lost your Vira.