We just had to put our cat to sleep yesterday. It is so difficult. We had him for 14-1/2 years. He was a Birman. He was so faithful and devoted to me. He was always at the door when we arrived home, he sat on my lap every monring for comfort and everynight. He would cuddle with us whenever he could. I can't get over thinking about the look on his face. In the end his belly was filling up with fluid and his lungs were too. He was having trouble breathing. The vet told us they could drain both and he may be OK for awhile, but he would soon be back for the same thing in perhaps a week or a month. He had heart and liver disease. I feel so empty having to put him to sleep. He depended upon us. He had never been outside. We were his whole world. I feel in the end I abandoned him since I did not take the step to make him better. My wife felt if was best for him since he was in distress. The vet did not comment is she agreed, but it seemed so. Why it is I cannot get over this feeling that I abandoned him and should have taken whatever steps necessary at whatever cost to keep him around longer. Everyone says he is better off this way. We took on the responsibility to feed, enjoy and take care of him when we bought him. I am normally a strong guy, but feel that I gave up on my friend. Is my feeling one of selfishness - thinking of me and not him ? Why is it I cannot deal with this ?