I, too, am a cat lover. reading your story has brought back memories of our family cat, Hercules, a yellow tabby, that i just adored. I was young when my Mom had him put to sleep as he was suffering from feline leukemia. I remember my Mom coming back home with him and how much we all cried, including my Dad. We buried him under the huge lilac bush in the back yard. It has been many years since we lived at that house, but i probably could take you straight to it.

I talked to my mom about him, today and a little of your story with Rocky ("Mom, i have this friend online who is dealing with... What did you do?") She told me that indeed it was one of the hardest things that she had to do in her life, but after they put him to sleep, she knew that he wasn't suffering anymore and happier where ever he was at. I asked her when she knew when the time came, to take him in. she said that her heart told her that he wanted to leave this world but his body wouldn't let him do it. (needless to say, i cried when she said that, and now as i write this. )

Oh, Lixy, I am pulling for ya and your "baby" Rocky. I wish that I had a magic wand to make him all better for you. Please, next time that he wants to be petted, pet him for me.

((((((((((Lixy)))))))))))