My Cheddar-Marie was my best friend, we were extremely connected. She was 18 years and 3 months when she died of Kidney Failure. She first was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. She died 7-13-02. My heart still hurts. I found her in the bathroom in a coma, I rushed her to the Vet, they said she is halfway gone that I should put her to sleep. They said, there was nothing I could do. She also had a growth in her stomach area. Cheddar-Marie loved to be around people. I treated her like my child. I feel lost without her. I had her mother Bijou (a Ragdoll cat) she died 10 years ago of Liver disease. These two cats were the best things to have around. Cheddar was with me longer, so we became real connected, even the way she would use her eyes to look at me right in my face. She used to try to stop me from entering the hot shower with her paw on my ankle. She loved christmas trees, she loved to eat people food, she used to run to me when I came home and meow several times in a row. I feel bad for the last two days of her life, I didn't know she was going to die. She was so weak that she fell off my second story balcony into the bushes. I ran outside and found her, she looked as though she wanted to go into the bushes and die alone (maybe). I put her in the bathroom, because she was urinating non-stop. I told her that we are going to the Vet first thing in the morning. She looked at me as if she knew she was going to die. The sadest look I ever saw. The next day on Saturday, I found her passed out on the bathroom floor with her paw (nails) stuck on the toilet seat cover. I felt so bad that she was alone. I rushed her to the vet. When they were about to put the needle in, (she opened her mouth and was breathing with her mouth open), I kissed her cheek and told her that I loved her, I ran out of the room (I thought I would faint to see the needle take my babies life) even though she was dying on her own. I couldn't watch. I gave my cat, her privacy. I went home to a very empty apartment. I still cry. In October, I bought a Maine Coon kitten for companionship. I feel loyal to my Cheddar, but, I need to have a cat in the house. But, it never replaces my love muffin head (Cheddar-Marie). I even spoke to an animal pychic. She told me that my cat was ready to die a long time before. She was sad to leave me, but not scared. She is very happy in heaven with my deceased grandmother named Zoe. Cheddar-Marie's spirit said (to trust) and that she loved me and loved dancing with me. I love her sooooo much! She is a big part of my life. I had her in my life for two decades. Bye, Anita