In December 2009 we had our 16 year old cat Tammy put to sleep after finding out she had mouth cancer in October. We kept her happy and comfortable for as long as we possibly could but in the end she became very poorly and could no longer eat, when she started to suffer it was time to make that decision.

Before diagnosis we knew she was unwell due to a change in her grooming habits, her fur was very untidy and the area around her mouth was very dirty caused by increased saliva production. We took her to the vets and a lump was found under her tongue, we dreaded the results of a biopsy but unfortunately it came back positive for oral squamous cell carcinoma a tumour under her tongue. She remained happy and comfortable thanks to some anti-inflammatory medication but it got to the stage where she could not eat or drink anything and looked very skinny. At that point we made the dreaded phone call to the vets.

We had her put to sleep on December the 21st. She went to sleep peacefully and pain free with her paw in my hand, before taking a final gasp of air. Walking away and leaving her body there was the toughest thing i have ever had to do. I was heartbroken but no doubt about it, it was for the best. We had an individual cremation and picked her ashes up a week later. They have now been buried in the garden in her favourite spot with a memorial pebble with her name and a flower on it. Now we can just remember all the good times.

We had Tammy from a kitten and i was 10 years old when we brought her home, i loved her and she loved me back, a friendship lost but never forgotten i think of her everyday.

After nearly 2 years of missing Tammy so much i have now taken on a 6 week old kitten which my partner and i have named Milo. He is so different to Tammy but i hope we create a bond as strong as i had with Tammy. Pets make a home and bring so much happiness and comfort.

Time is a healer and it does get easier.

im so sorry she was a good age bless him
r.i.p./tammy xxx