I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a great cat who had a great life!
Thank you for sharing pictures and stories about her with us, she sounds like a wonderful friend. I’m so sorry for your loss.
One of the most difficult yet giving decisions is making that final one for our pets. I’m sorry for your loss, Chefguy, I hope you find some solace in knowing you gave her a great gift in letting her go with assistance. She had a remarkable life with you!
Volunteering could prove very therapeutic. My shelter has gained many good volunteers when they have followed a similar path. The shelter might also have a grief counseling program, attending a meeting or two to share stories can also be very cleansing.
I assist with euthanasias at the ER often. A good shift has none, a bad shift can have as many as 6 or 8. Those are hard days. It doesn’t get any easier, and sometimes I have to go home, hug my cats including the ones that don’t like being hugged, and cry.
What an excellent life this kitty had, and what an excellent kitty that brought joy to your many homes. Thanks so much for sharing her story… you are a great cat-owner, ChefGuy.
Hugs!!! Pets are so awesome, and you gave this one a wonderful long life.
My condolences, she was such a gorgeous kitty.
tears.
That was such a wonderful tribute to a beloved pet.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Chefguy, thank you so much for the beautiful stories and pictures of Vira. It sounds like she brought much joy to your lives, and you to hers. My sincere condolences.
You were quite lucky to be owned by her for as long as you were. I’m very sorry for your loss.
We tried hard to be the best staff we could be. 
Evidence of her is everywhere we look, of course. We’ve left things out as they were, since coming across them later would just be freshly painful. As sad as I am, my wife is really having trouble and is in tears every day. Vira’s ashes will be coming back this week sometime, so we can at least symbolically welcome her home.
Louis C.K. makes the terribly true joke in his act about getting a puppy for his kids: well, here’s the tears and heartbreak for you down the line! We just brought home a bundle of grief and pain a few years from now!
But of course, as you know, it’s worth it. The pain you are in now is a small price to pay for all the comfort and joy you shared with her for 18 years.
My very real sympathy.
I am so sorry for your loss. Vira was a beautiful kitty and your tribute to her is wonderful. (You have me sniffling at my desk at work.) My own furry overlords will be getting extra scritches tonight in her memory.
Wait, I can’t type. I have something in my eyes. I’m so sorry for your loss.
The loss of a beloved pet is a great sadness - I got my dog just two years ago, but she stole my heart.
Sending supporting thoughts your way.
A beautiful eulogy to your companion - I am crying now too. I am so sorry for your loss and clearly she was a much beloved friend.
Touching eulogy. It made me think of my late cat of 16 years, her personality, her quirks, how she made me laugh. Good memories. My sympathies Chefguy, it get’s easier over time.
neither mundane nor pointless…
many hugs to you, OP!
Very sorry for your loss. My wife and had to put down our pet dog of 12 years due to cancer late last year. She was a member of my family- pet or not - and we are still grieving for her. Towards the end it became apparent that putting her to sleep was the most humane thing to do, but it didn’t make it any easier for us. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss!
A beautiful kitty, and she hit the kitty lottery to end up with such a loving family as you and your wife. You have my deepest condolences. And I’m glad I’m working at home today because your tribute made me cry.
I just wanted to come back in here and say that Vira returned home to us today; welcome back, beautiful friend. Such a small container for such a huge heart. We are devastated all over again, of course, but it’s closure for us and I think we can move forward from here.
Thank you to all you good people for your condolences and support. This is a great community and I don’t treat you all as well as you deserve sometimes. I’ll try to do better in the future.