We had to put my cat Zapper, my dear friend of 16 years, to sleep yesterday evening.

We got him when I was a year-and-a-half old, and he's been consistently loving, friendly, and cuddly for the last many, many years. We were lucky, really, because he'd never had any illness or disease or ailments at all the entire duration of his life, and he only started declining in the last two weeks.

It wasn't planned, but it was the best option. This is the first major loss I've ever experienced, and I know it's 'just a cat,' but it's really hurting. :( He helped me through my entire childhood, and it's hard to believe that he's gone.

Bawwww. Anyone lose your best pals lately? (I know it's all cliche stuff, too. Sorry guys. :()

hugs I know it is hard. I hope you work thru it soon. It is always sad to lose a friend, even if it is a fuzzy friend.

Aww, i'm really sorry for you :/ I lost my cat about 6 months ago, and i still can't look at a picture of him without tearing up. It's sad but it makes me feel better knowing he had a great life while he was alive.

I am so sorry. I had a dog like that. He was older when we got him, but I was only like 2.. I loved that dog to death. He died when I was 8.

Aw.. :( I'm sorry.. My cat Tessy died a couple years back and it was heart breaking for me. She was my first major death as well. We use to box with each other, lol. I would lay down on my side and she would lay down next to me and soon we'd be batting each other's hands like it was an actual sport. She also use to sneak in my room at night and drag all my beanie babies out of my tub and spread them throughout the hallway. Once she had as many as she could get, she'd start howling victoriously. This normally woke my mom up. XD I could go on and on about her. She was such a great kitty..

I hope you and your family find comfort soon.

I'm really sorry to hear that happened, it's always sad to lose a pet friend. =( Similar happen to me a few months ago. My dog, who has been in my life since before I was born, had to put to sleep because her health was declining. She was 20 years old. Her daughter (who was about 9) was only put to sleep a few months before that, it was heart-wrenching. =( I hope you and your family feel better soon~ =)

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest things in the world. I'm so proud of you, though for having him put to sleep rather than letting him suffer. That was a very sweet thing you did for him. I'm sure you made his long life a very happy one. You were both lucky to have each other.

Aww. hugs I'm sorry you had to put your animal to sleep. But I bet wherever he is he is thanking you for not letting him be in pain anymore.

When I was little, my mom had this dog named Candy. She was a dingo/golden retriever, and the most loving dog... when she got old, she was constantly in a lot of pain. My mom had to put her to sleep. ;(

My most recent loss of an animal wasn't a furry animal: My fish died. I was really sad.

my dad had asked me in this situation..would you have wanted to live without him?

thinking of your life without him (and there could be no imagining that) puts a grace on his life and so into yours in one quick huge snapshot in your mind.

smile with every sweet memory every day. you gave him a wonderful family and he added to your in a great way too!! so sorry for you.

i'm really sorry for your loss... :(

my 21 year old cat was shot by kids playing around with air rifles...the lead pellet lodged in her skull and wasn't in a position to be removed surgically, but she lived for a further 2 years after the shooting...she finally declined during her last 6 months, tho she wasn't in any pain, and it was heartbreaking to see...

this happened many years ago, but it still gets to me when i see a photo of her...when we lost her it really was like losing a member of the family...

i hope one day soon the tears will pass and you can look back and remember the good times you had together...

(((hugs)))

I'm so sorry. People say, "it's just a cat" or "it's just a dog" but they are more than that. They are part of your family. I really wish I knew what to say other than I'm really sorry. hugs

Sorry about Zapper. I had to put my cat down in January, and I'd had him since he was 4 months old, and it was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

Aw, sorry about your kitty.:( He looks adorable! At least you gave him probably the best sixteen years any cat could ask for, right?:)

I'm sorry you lost your friend :(

I miss my own old cat, Pumpkin. I had her from when I was 2 until I was 18, and she herself was 17 years old when I had to put her down. She was suffering, her condition was going to get progressively worse, and we couldn't afford the drugs that would only slow down, not stop or reverse, her illness. I decided to put her down while she was still relatively pain-free most of the time, I didn't want to drag her through weeks of suffering just for her to die anyway. I had to sit back in the surgery room while they put her down, she wouldn't let them take her back there alone...actually she was putting up a pretty good fight with the nurses by the time I went back there to save them. My cat wasn't going out without taking a few of them with her :P

Still, I'm glad she was part of my life, and even that she spent most of that time taking up 90% of my bed and leaving me a teeny corner to sleep on. I found the that the best medicine for losing a furry friend is to find another one, not to replace your old friend, because that's impossible, but to help distract you from your loss. Maybe another critter will come in to help you with the next part of your life.

I'm so sorry. I hope things get better.

It's tough losing a loved one. You and Zapper will be in my prayers.

Aww! I'm sorry. :( Zapper looks really cute in that picture. I love tabbies.

I lost my 18 year-old cat last spring. She was exactly 6 months older than me, so I'd had her my whole life. It was time for her to go though. She was really suffering. ):

Aw, I'm so sorry! :(

My aunt died today. I'm sad yet I only saw her once when I was about 3 or 4 years old, so I can't say I miss her...I kind of feel bad just saying that even though it's true. :/

Not very recent, but my guinea pig of almost 5 years died in November. But he died peacefully. :(

His girlfriend and her cage buddy are still going strong though. :D

He and Nibs got it on when they weren't even half a year old. XD And Nibs had 4 babies. :PDon't you wish us humans had those skills? X3

Aww, I'm sorry =(

In three days (on the 30th), it'll be three years since my beloved Heidi was put to sleep. We only had her for a little over a year, but she was the most loving, caring, smart, affectionate animal anyone could've met in their entire lives. I miss that dog, and I'll never find one like her ever again.

I am sorry :( It must be hard losing a pet, I can't imagine losing mine. I hope you'll feel better though gives you a hug too