I had to have my lovely, 12 year old cat put to sleep yesterday. She went from seemingly fine, to very quiet and off her food in the space of about 2 weeks. She had lost weight and I knew it was probably going to be bad news because over the bank holiday lumps appeared all over her body and she insisted on sitting outside on her beanbag, refusing to come inside the house. I think she knew. I didnt want to upset my 7 year old dd before I knew for sure, so told her that our cat was poorly and old, and that the vet would tell me what we needed to do to help her. I told her that if we could buy medicine, we would, but if the vet said she was in pain and couldnt help her, then the vet would give her a special medicine to stop her pain and let her die. I talked through the rainbow bridge. Although upset, dd seemed to understand. When the time came to take her to the vet, I got dd to help me get her ready. She chose the banket to line the carrier with, gave the cat a hug and kiss but stayed at home eith dh whilst I took the cat to the vet. When I came home without the cat, I told dd the cat was just too poorly but and the kind vet had stopped her pain and she had died. Dd howeled like she'd been physically hurt. It was horrific. She just fell apart completely and was inconsolable. She was understanding of why our poor cat had to be pts, but it is the first loss she has ever had to deal with and she is really struggling. Sge cried for hours yesterday and it has beem the same today. Im going to take her to the pet memorial garden to say goodbye but I really do not know what else to do to help her. We have had a crap few weeks with my dad being seriously ill and then being told he has cancer. Although Ive sheided dd from the details, she knows somethinh isnt right and I am really worried about her. Any advice on how to handle this is very much appreciated. Im scared ive done the wrong thing so far if im honest.