Hi
This was an almost identical story to mine. I had our lovely moggie PTS a month ago, at the age of 20. I had some good advice on here. It was so very hard to judge. And also, as you say, because even when we decided, she was still eating
For us there were two main issues:
She'd stopped coming to see us, and moreover when we stroked her, she did not purr. I think this was added to by the fact I was doing subcutaneous drips and she'd started to hate it. Except on the morning of the last day when she sat on my lap for half and hour, and ironically I thought "this is how I want to remember you"
We were going on holiday and the thought of her being in crisis or dying when we were away was terrible.
I still think we could have gone on a bit longer, but several people said "better a month early than a week late" The terrible irony is that if you let it go on too long and then she's definitely in pain, or has a fit or something, you'd feel more guilty. My head tells me that is right, but I was unprepared for how hard it was to take the responsibility.
I have made my peace with it now
Here's a poem my vet sent to me:
If it should be.....
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep;
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can't be won
You will be sad, I understand;
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years;
What is to come can hold no fears.
You don't want me to suffer so
The time has come, please let me go.
Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
But please stay with me until the end
To hold me close and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
It was kindness done for me.
Although my tail its last has waved.
From pain and suffering I'm saved.
Please do not grove that it was you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold any tears