They say I should take her to the vet. That she’s most likely in pain. That I’d be doing her a favour. 
She’s been with me for 13 years (except for a short break, when I wasn’t here).
(She came from the RSPCA, where my children selected her, in 1994.)
...
There’s just the two of us now. A year or so (Was it more?) ago, I took her back to the RSPCA, to the vet there. 
She seemed not well to me then but the vet said that it was my choice whether to leave her there or not.
I could not leave her there, then. I know what I’m like. I remember each occasion!
(I’ve just started to list those times when other cats passed away but have changed my mind.)
All these years Jemma wasn’t allowed in the house because of my father’s asthma.
Now she has his spot by the window and the house to herself, ( except at lunchtime when I let her have things she likes, from my sandwiches and some afternoons, when I paint there).
MBartworks commented on the circle of life. 37 years I ran around; kicked soccer balls; danced; played the accordion; with the young.
Then that stopped.
Jemma can have her spot by the window for a little while longer…...
She’s safe there, from thunderstorms, Asian myna birds and Skye, from next door.
Old friend.
She’s been with me for 13 years (except for a short break, when I wasn’t here).
There’s just the two of us now. A year or so (Was it more?) ago, I took her back to the RSPCA, to the vet there.
Martin Derksema, 11 months ago
This is a beautiful essay, Ozcloggie. Very touching and very recognizable. Somewhere else you said you are not a writer, but I think you are. You have this gift to create a lot of mental images and emotion with only a couple of words. Oh, Tine and I love cats. And everytime one dies we feel so sad. They are friends indeed. We are often speaking to eachther about our cats that passed away. And every time one dies, we say: nó more cats! This feels to bad. Your cat looks old, but not ill. Don’t think he is in pain. Our cat is called Karel and he is 19 now. Big, black, fat cat. He has diabetes, so I have to give him an injection with insuline twice a day. Costs us a fortune, but, hey, he is a friend.
wild1, 11 months ago
Jemma is beautiful!!! She’ll tell you when she’s ready to go or if she’s in pain, and then you’ll know for sure. I had to put my beautiful old dog ‘Frodo’ down just before Xmas last year. It’s really sad!! She doesn’t look like she’s in pain…..she just looks frail and old. I agree with FlyBoy…..you write with great feeling!!
Nancy Stafford..., 9 months ago
Our pets are our best friends. We do what we can for them rather it a dog or cat.
it sad when you have to put the down. very sad. I work dogs at a very special place.
we do what we can for them if they come in sick. we even give the old timers a second chance.
a dog was brought into us a lab fourteen years old. the keepers want her put to sleep because she could not hold it any longer. we put her into one of our main kennels. see how she would do
with a rubber mat down she got up on her own and went outside to go.. we put her into a foster care home were she lived for eight more months.. don’t let anyone ever tell you to put your friend down because they are old and frigle.. they will tell you when they are ready to go. .. aslan