How wonderful you and she were such good friends for so long.
I am so sorry for the ending but she'll hold you in her heart forever, Joey.

that's a decision I hate making and I hate to see other people have to make.

I had a big ol' orange boy named Harold when I was a kid and India looks a lot like I remember him.

We lost one of our dogs two years ago after 19 years. It's tough. Like all cats, your India seems like she's been a great companion.

I feel for you. It helps when you know you've done everything you could to make their life here with us fun.

I am so sorry.

My wife SPOILED her rotten....and that was fine with me.

Oh, joeybee, how wonderful that she has had you. My heartfelt love to both you and India as she takes her journey. I know your feelings and how hard this will be. I have been there many times.

Polly

Three out of four orange tabbies are male. Also, most orange tabbies have little or no meow.

She's a pretty girl.

So even more rare to have a female orange.

Interesting about the meow: I have a newly adopted one year old male orange, and he rarely meows. I can only get a little squeak out of him if he's waiting for his food. Or else if he's behind a door or in a car in a carrier. But his meow is very high pitched and on the quiet side. Mostly, during the day, he makes this little sound in his throat, like a question--you might know what I mean ?--toward the other cats or his toys.

That was our Sean Timothy Michael Murray's downfall. (Mom's friend who found the littler in our basement named him after a redheaded Irishman she'd met in L.A. ) When he developed feline urinary syndrome, he had no way to tell us he was hurting, and by the time Mom notice the swollen belly, it was too late.

Butterscotch. We adopted her in Aug of 2013 and she rarely meows. She has beautiful markings (classic tabby) and she is the quietest cat I've ever had out of 8 cats. She only squeaks in a high pitched meow when she wants to get into a room she isn't allowed in or if she wants food. She does do a trilling sound, but no meow. I know how rare she is, as orange color is a sex linked characteristic in cats, but I wasn't aware of the lack of meow until now.

He has a lot of opinions, apparently.

Freddie (oversized orange tabby) NEVER meows! Most silent cat we've ever had. Chirps on a rare occasion but that's it.

As explained to me by some fellow cat lovers in college.

See post 44 above.

MY sweetheart, a feral I rescued is going on 9 and I can't imagine being without her.

Both of us send hugs to you and India.

You have been a wonderful friend and companion to India, as she has been to you. I helped my cat Gracie leave us a few months ago, held her and wept while the vet eased her pain. Tough decision, I still weep, but am grateful for the memories she has left me.

Blessings and all good wishes.

I'm sure she had a wonderful life and being able to keep her from suffering in her last days is wonderful.

I'm sure you will never forget her. Pretty kitty.

19yo Dolly Parton years ago. It was hard, but one day I just knew it was time. I believe you are there and that you are going to show a great act of love. Neither critters or people need to suffer to give us a chance to get ready.

Will be thinking about you.

you have given her a beautiful life. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

He showed up on my deck on day, pranced in the kitchen when I opened the door and rolled over for a tummy rub. He stayed with us for 12 years.

I will keep good thoughts for you and your India. They touch our hearts in such special ways.

You are fortunate to have had her for 20 years! Wow!

She's beautiful, and she's lucky she has you by her side.

I know what you're going through, so you have my deepest sympathies.

Peace.

Being the rare female orange Tabby. It is not an easy decision. 🐯
Best of luck to you both.

So sorry for what you're going through at the moment, joeybee12. We have a sweet little old tabby, dB, who's about 15 or 16 now - nobody's sure. She's frail, arthritic, walks slowly and with difficulty, but she's still hanging in there. And we find ourselves wondering how long we'll be lucky enough to have her around.

My sympathy to you, my friend. This stuff is never easy.

And for Lochloosa, my love and sympathy to you, too. Rest at the Rainbow Bridge, Amber.

It's never easy. Even when you know it's time to help them with their crossing.

It's amazing to me how they can be so independent and we still get so much from them.

I'm glad you are there to care for India.

Pass gently, sweet India.

It's so tough but so kind.

But it makes it no easier.

I worry myself sick over our rescue dog, Ozzie. We think he was born in March, making him now 15...we've had him since about 10 weeks old when he was found on the streets.

Best to you and India, Joeybee...

I'm so very sorry you're facing this. It's the only drawback to being a pet owner but they depend on us to know when it's time. My heart aches for you.

they might have been with you half your life. It will be the best thing you can do to help her move onward. It is hard for a while, then it gets easier. I have done it 5 times and came to know that. Hugs to you and your baby. What a lovely cat.

No matter what happens, remember that she gave you many, many years of love and friendship, and, most importantly, you gave her a loving forever home.

When the time comes, just know that her pain will be over. My Moses, Zags, Bruno, Boots, and Daisy will be waiting for their new best friend in the next.

Sometimes you have to take over suffering so they don't have to do it anymore. It's heartbreaking and it's also the ultimate act of love. Wishing peace and comfort for you and little India.

holding you close and wishing safe passage to your dear, sweet India. May you meet again on the other side.

coming for you and India.

I have a 22 yr old - adopted him at 18 (Rescuer pulled him from the pound). I assumed he'd live a year. He's apparently pretty tough but I have my doubts he'll live to see 23.

gently and safely across the Rainbow Bridge.

20 years is a fine run for a kitteh.

I once got a fix from a 21-year-old. We never got to belt back a few drinks , but I could just feel all the wisdom he had soaked up.

It's the worst thing about life for all living beings. You was her savior. She will remember you forever for your love and kindness.

What the heck is your secret for longevity of your beloved?

and hugs for joeybee12.

...and it still is...when recently, we lost our beloved kitty of 15+ years, Chibi.

My thoughts are with you and India tonight.

... about four months ago. It's desperately hard to say goodbye to a treasure and good friend.

We also rescued a gorgeous Orange and White Bi-color kitty that someone threw away about a month ago. That happens by us a lot because we live near a cul de sac. He's about 9 months old we think - the neighbors said he's been hanging around for 4-5 months. We took him in because some feral cats in the area were beating him up poor little thing, We got him his shots and had him neutered and we're trying to find him a good, permanent home since we can't keep him. We have six other rescues in our home and are really overwhelmed at this point. We know he was thrown away because there's no record of him being a lost cat and he's highly socialized, very sweet and loving. I wish we could take them all, but of course we can't.

I wish you the best in the days to come. I know how hard it is. I still feel the pain of losing my very best feline friend about 24 years ago.

If anyone in Northern Illinois needs a sweet little kitty, let me know. We are exploring other options though ... not desperate yet.

Our hearts go out to you, joeybee, but it's clear that you've given India a wonderful home that she'd want to stick around for two whole decades. {{{joeybee and India}}}

relaxed affect in the way she is lying and the expression in her eyes. how lucky for you all to have one another. may she have a peaceful passage.

... it has been my experience that when we say good bye to our pets - they never seem to leave us - they may suddenly pounce on the bed, brush against our legs, or swat us with their tails.

So sorry.....

I wish I could somehow be there with you right now. All I can offer via this venue is my sincere understanding and my kind thoughts. Which are both yours.

I truly feel where you're at right now. My Tink, 19 years of age, has congestive heart failure. She's been on meds for almost 2 years and they've about done all they can for her. She's been with me forever, through every major milestone, and as I write this she just got over another breathing "episode" in my lap. We're right behind you. Days, or couple of weeks at best before she becomes too sick to be comfortable, I was told. It's so painful to accept.

I'm so deeply sorry for where you are right now. For me, I'm focusing on all we've had together, and like you spoiling her as much as I can, while I still can. I hope that helps you now, too. We have to be their guardians, even when it tears our hearts to pieces doing what's right for them. It's the least we can do for all the years of love they've given us.

Ever been to Barcelona?
What a great city..

for her to have stuck around so long.

you - it is amazing how many you have helped/saved.

Yesterday was my big lab's 5th birthday. We are thrilled he is in great health but I'm very careful not to overfeed.

20 years seems like a long time until you have to say goodbye. Thinking of you.

Surely, do know what you are going through. It is never easy. Hang in there. We currently have 16, 15 are rescues. People dump them here, because we have a barn.

it is so hard to say goodbye and knowing it's coming doesn't help any.

I know what it's like. Seems so unfair.