Thanks for posting, @MotherOfDragons !! That looks like a great shelter, and makes me want to visit my local SPCA, which I can’t because our two surviving cats both detest all other cats, including each other. So no new kitties for us for a good long time. But thanks for making me smile.
Ona sunnier note, cat lovers will like the documentary on Netflix called The Lion in your Living Room. Lots of interesting cat info.
@TatinG, I just watched the documentary on YouTube. I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for the heads up.
I remember reading a post by a member here on CC saying that it’s not really possible for humans to truly “love” animals, cats in particular.
All these posts about losing our buddies makes me look at my 14 year old lady with emotion, and I say “BS.” I love that little gal, and I know we might be living on borrowed time together. Fortunately, she’s really healthy and seems pretty spry, but I can do the math and it makes me wistful and sad.
I’m so sorry for all of you who are having to say goodbye to your sweet cats. 
D2 has two kittens who are about 6 months old. She brings them here when she visits, and it’s like a breath of fresh air. They are always into mischief, they are so funny and sweet. They have figured out how to open doors and escape from enclosed spaces, they grab things and trot off joyfully with them, they snuggle, they play…omg, so cute.
All of you with grandkids are probably reading that with pity and amusement, lol. But it will be years before I have grandkids, so I live with the cards I am dealt…ha ha.
I was not allowed to have pets growing up. My mom was bitten by a dog as a little girl and had to have rabies shots in her stomach. My dad didn’t like cats.
H loves dogs. I didn’t want any but he insisted. We have now had dogs for 17 years and other than a Maltese, I have not cottoned to any of them. OTOH, when techson17 was 7, he and I went to the shelter. We saw the cutest little black kitten but H swears he’s allergic. H and the other boys were camping for the weekend. When H called, techson told him we had adopted a cat. Instead of freaking out, H got all googly and said he couldn’t wait to see it. Son and I flew back to the shelter and the cat was available still so we took her home. In his inimitable 7 year old way, techson named the totally black cat “Snowflake!” Snowflake is gone now, but we have a sweet, Tuxedo named Toby who allows oldest boy to hold her upside down and who is just the sweetest little thing. We also still have two dogs, with whom I have a mutual avoidance pact.
I actually love dogs and think they are amazing animals. We have one now. But they require so much work and their needs interfere with how we like to live our life. Our current pooch will be the last. Well, DH would love to have another lab, but I just will not be convinced.
Love your cat story, techmom. 
Good news; bad news; good news.
Good news: Iggy - my cat with acute kidney failure which morphed into chronic kidney failure - kidneys tested on multiple occasions - well, he now has normal kidney function. My vet says he know that it “can” happen but has never actually seen a cat work from the level of kidney failure Iggy had two and a half years ago to normal now. So yay! for Iggy! And an encouragement for all who have pets diagnosed with kidney failure.
Bad news: Last night Iggy was diagnosed with diabetes. He had excessive thirst, loss of appetite, lethargy. I figured that his kidneys finally said “enough” but no - out with the old diagnosis and in with the new.
Good news: I gave Iggy his first insulin injection this morning and - oh my gosh - is it easy. No prying the mouth open, shooting a pill down the throat, missing and having to repeat the process. I just pet Iggy and inject the insulin while doing so. He doesn’t seem to even notice. I can do this.
I swear this cat has used his nine lives plus. He even confounds his vets - this not being the first time.
My Maddie is 6. When she was 3 she was diagnosed with lymphoma and given 30-60 days. Apparently no one ran that by her for agreement. Still here and happy. A few months ago we started steroids, but she still seems happy.
Vet schmet she says!!
hooray for Iggy! and for Maddie too!
I love these stories.
As I read this thread the tears are pouring down my face.
I’m so happy for Iggy and Maddie. But I know my Dixie is 14 yrs old. She has never had any illness until a year or two ago. Now she gets UTIs often. They’ve tested her for everything and all have come back negative. Which is good. But I know her age and the fact that she is starting to have problems.
I now treasure each day with her and love her as I look into her “old lady” face.
Well, as I said previously, Iggy lived 9+ lives. He just had no more lives left in him to make it through fighting diabetes. He faded enough yesterday that we took him to the vet, who made a succinct diagnosis: “He’s dying.” We helped him along - just the way I wanted it done. The vet gave an injection (catheter not included) which allowed him to get sleepy over the next 10 or 15 minutes. We stayed with him petting and talking until he was so sleepy he didn’t even know we were there. At that point the vet took him and we left. We did not stay for the final injection. He had a peaceful passing.
So:
R.I.P. Ignatius “Iggy” - rescued by my son - April 2007; deceased April 23, 2017.
We have only one cat at the moment: 5-year-old Toby. I can scarcely remember the last time we were a one cat family. It seems I need to do something about that, right?
Hugs, @Ignatius…
I am sure there are shelter kitties wanting to go home…
Well, he did get some extra time he wouldn’t have had if you hadn’t so vigorously sought treatment for his problems.
Very sorry for the loss of your dear pal.
So sorry for your loss. These furry little friends really get into our hearts!
So sorry for your loss. I’m glad he died peacefully, if he had to go.
@ignatius I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad that Iggy had a peaceful passing.
Adopting two little girls today (if all goes as planned). 
Yay!!! Fingers crossed.
Awesome!!!