Its the end for my very elderly cat today

[CMOTDibbler]

She's 18-19, spent a year in the CPL cattery (all her kittens were adopted and as she was mostly feral no one wanted her) and she had massive issues. For the first 10 years she lived with us she largely lived in the utility room and couldn't be shut in or held - but would come and visit you in the downstairs loo and allow you to stroke her (within limits).
The last year she decided to spend time in the sitting room with us and got more affectionate. We knew she had kidney disease and had a couple of eye bleeds this year, but today shes woken up and her back legs are collapsing under her. The appointment is made for this evening for her to be PTS.
She's not been much of a pet as such, rather a very grumpy lodger who complains about the service, will stalk off if the food isn't exactly as she wanted (and who knows on any particular day what that is), and generally hates the world. But I'll miss being yelled at by her

Oh CMOT, how sad. Is the vet coming out to you? My 18 year old cat is in reasonably good health as far as we know (dementia, deafness and obesity aside!) but he was so distressed recently going to the vet for his annual vax, I asked the vet there and then if, when the time comes and assistance is needed, the vet will come out to us to save him one last traumatic trip.
Wherever it is done, know you have given her a good life, though she won't tell you so. And speaking as an obsessive cat lover, thank you for giving her a good home when others wouldn't.

@CMOTDibbler i'm so sorry about your cat. Our cat passed away a couple of months ago. It's such a sad feeling but knowing they're in a better place helps xx

Such sad news but wonderful to know she did feel something for you apart from distain in her last year, and all your efforts weren't for nothing. It's a big thing for cats to trust especially when they have had a hard life for most of it. It's always a hard decision to make and it sounds like you have made it at the right time for her💐

My MOG (miserable old git - his real name was Charlie) was like this and strangely in his last few years became more affectionate too.
I'm sorry you've had to make the hard decision, @CMOTDibbler.

Oh I'm so sorry CMot. She sounds like a character so no doubt will leave a big hole in your household. But she landed on her paws with you and has had a good life. I'll be thinking of you tonight.

Thinking of you today OP. It sounds as if you gave her a good and long life (according to what she would / could accept)

@Wherethewildthymeblows no, we'll have to take her - but fortunately her hatred of the cat box which is actually a dog crate due to the size of one of the other cats has lessened and she was OK last time we had to go to the vet.
Since we adopted her we would go to the CPL and ask for cats no one wanted, so she changed our attitude to cats and learnt to just wait for them to do as they needed.

You'll miss her terribly. Cats have a way of burrowing info your ❤️. I'm sure she appreciated all you did for her in her own grumpy way. You are doing the kindest thing for her.

So sorry, mine was PTS on Saturday, so paw hold from me.

Sending a hand hold. You have given her a lovely long life.

Thank you all. It was very peaceful and she completed her life by swearing loudly at the dogs in the vet waiting room

Ha good to hear her fighting spirit was strong until the end. Thinking of you @CMOTDibbler .

Awesome! I hope it made you laugh at such an awful time.

Bless her! She sounds like a character right to the end. I’ve been thinking about you today and what sort of day you’ve had, it’s so sad. However as you say it’s very peaceful and you gave her a good life and were there for her at the end. All very close to home as I had to have my beloved dog put to sleep 16 days ago and I’m missing him terribly😢

Hope you are ok today op.