Thank you everyone for your kind words, it really does help to hear about other peoples experiences, it also gives us an idea of 'what to be about' if you get my drift. So sorry to hear about your cat sunflower, it's just heart-breaking as they take your heart and in the end break it. You are right though, it is the last kindness we can do for them, my mother used to say the same , she also said that if you can't bear to lose them you mustn't have them, because it will always end that way, and even if it doesn't, you have the worry of what happens to them if something happens to you. Doesn't make it easier, but I think we all need to try and hold onto positive things. Millie is much better today after her op which did knock her back. We noticed that she was far groggier this year than a year ago when she had her teeth cleaned - but then of course a year is a long time in the life of a dog. Today though she is quite back to her old self, and although I know it is a false dawn but it has made us feel more cheerful!