Ugh, I read Sarah's post and became sad, too. I lost a cat when she was only 3 years old. She was sick when we got her and we nursed her back to health, only to have her get hit by a car at such a young age. I've never gotten over that. I really react badly to stories about sick animals. Sorry to hear about the pets you had when you were little. :(
Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Pilgrim--
I just wanted to let you know that I changed my AIM Screen Name. I had told you it was SariCat58, but I renewed it and it is now SuriRivki. I will explain what that means when I talk to you!!

When i was a kid, i lost my black cat. In most cases, she was almost human, and would always come over and wine at you if you were sick, sad, or just around. At the yearly january check-up, we were told that she had a heart murmor. We had rescued her from the spca, and her old owners abused the poor thing. She was always skiddish around people she didnt know. Somehow, i was the only one who could have her sit on my lap. Six months later, I was working outside, and my mom started yelling "the cat the cat!" i ran inside, she just lay there on the floor, still breathing. I picked her up and ran to the car. She was overweight, and the way my mom drove, i could barley hold on to her. by the time i had a good grip on her, i kept petting her trying to tell her it was going to be all right... That last cry, then cough will haunt me for the rest of my life. All i remember after that is going up to the vet's door, and knocking only to find no-one was home. My mom went to the side house where the vet lived to see if anyone was home. I went back to the car because it was a/c-ed and i still thought Charcoal was gripping onto life. She wasnt moving, so i layed her on the seat. I looked into her eyes for the last time. They were glazed over, and her tounge was blue and hanging out of her mouth. I've never gotten over that. Anyways, i know your pain. Everytime I look at one of the stray black cats outside, it makes me wanna just open up the back door and say "here charcoal." Time heals all wounds, unless they stab you in the gut.

Someone once asked "why do we own pets when we know they'll leave?"
Another answered "Because you enjoyed the time you had with them when they were alive, and nothing can take that away from you"