Maggie was our loving and faithful friend for almost 19 years, and I can honestly say that there never was a bad moment between us in those years. She was beautiful, caring, and had a knack for knowing when a person was feeling blue, and she would be there to provide comfort and unconditional love. She would forgive anything, accept you for being yourself, and would enrich your life by being there for you at your best and worst moments. She also had a feisty attitude that made her even more lovable, making her one cat who was tough and tender.
Speaking for myself, she was with me since I was 5 years old, and has been there for all my big events that have happened since. She is a link to the happiest times of my life, and it breaks my heart beyond measure to have to say goodbye. The grief we feel is a weight that can only come from the death of a pet the whole family loved and cherished.
Making the decision to have her put to sleep is a weight that will always be on our hearts. But we take comfort in knowing that she had a long, happy, and healthy life, and in her old age, she never felt pain or disease. She met a peaceful and dignified end, and I have faith that she is in a much better place. But her passing has left a void that can never be filled, and the love we feel for dear Maggie will never dull.