Yeah I've lost 3 dogs as well...and it sucks. They are definitely part of the family. My grandma had to put her stray cat down 3 days before my dog..so it's been hard. My grandma lost all three of her cats within a month, 2 of them within 2 days! I felt so bad for her. (This was a couple years back)
Mike- I remember hearing about your cat. But 17-18 years is a long time. That shows that you and your family took great care.