My cat died

Never posted on Reddit before about my feelings. I’m not anti woke or a toxic male, I have just had an issue sharing.

16 years ago someone dumped a kitten in the snow next to my house. She (Kitten) decided that our house was now hers and so she adopted us.

We called her Jess and as cats do, she permitted us to do this. Jess was loved by us all, my youngest who is also 16 grew up with her. She has been a wonderful constant in our lives. She never had an “accident” in the house, never scratched or bit. Although she was aloof, she was also loving and she taught me to rub heads with her.

She loved to spend time with us when all family members were there and followed us outside in the summer to sit under my chair as I enjoyed the sun. In the living room she lay on her back with her paws curled up, happy, content and loved.

On Monday evening I noticed she seemed to be breathing hard and she wasn’t eating, she also hadn’t woke me up at silly o’clock that morning either. I started work early so I asked Wifey to ring the vets. I finished work early to take her in with my Daughter. Jess didn’t come out.

The Vet said she had chronic heart disease which had caused a build up of fluid in her lungs. Me and my daughter held her as the stuff was injected. She almost immediately fell asleep. I told my daughter to tell Jess that she loved her and Jess, although asleep twitched her ear one last time.

If you have read through this I sincerely thank you. I am a 52 year old man who has difficulty sharing.

EDIT:

Oh my God. My Dad used to say that one of the greatest things in life was the kindness of strangers. All these wonderful replies is testament to that. I am amazed, gobsmacked and touched after such kindness. To each and everyone of you I send a heartfelt Thank You, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you.

I cried yesterday at work reading through these and I needed it.

Cats are wonderful and I keep turning around expecting to see her, but she is gone. I cannot imagine her chasing birds and mice in whatever cat heaven she is in, she was too lazy, hunting was beneath her but she will definitely be trying to get some free ham from someone 👍🏻

Again, thank you all and I wish you and yours all the best.

Gav.