ION, the drive on my 9 y.o iPod is starting to make a clicking noise when I turn it on or connect it to my laptop. This is ominous, and I'm probably going to need to start looking for a backup, dammit. I don't want an iPod Touch! I just want an iPod that has a lot of storage space and only plays music, is that too much to ask?

PREACH! I really feel like Apple is missing a pretty good niche audience here. DW and I both have classic iPods with a ton of room and we will cry forever when they die.

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Oh, Nora, I'm so very sorry about Taz. You did everything right - sometimes health issues escalate quickly. I had a cat pass away from the same thing and it was very quick. Sending love, friend.

I just miss him. He's been a part of our lives for 10 years - we was our gateway kitty. (One quickly leads to two, and then perhaps a third.) But he was so ingrained in the fabric of mine and Tom's lives together.

I feel like we'd been focusing more on Sadie lately because she's a nutball and adorable and new. And I feel so guilty about that now.

Nora, we got Mr. Murderbiscuit in June, and had Slinky euthanized in August, and I felt really guilty that we spent so much time with Murderbiscuit trying to acclimate him as the new kitty. (Tim, on the other hand, worried that we weren't giving him enough attention, because of Slinky's medical needs.) But I really don't think that we ignored either of them overmuch, and you didn't give Taz short shrift. He was SO loved. And I think our pets know how much they're loved.

It's just super hard right now. It sucks so much. You always did right by Taz.

how could I have missed how sick he was?

Echoing what has already been said. Cats like to hide their illness, probably based on being predators and not showing weakness. I'm sorry that your time with him was so quickly brought to an end.

It is really hard. Much love to you and Tom.

Please don't beat yourself up, Nora! You gave Taz a wonderful life for a good long run, and it's worth hanging on to that and not second-guessing yourself about the last few days. You did your best for him, and he knew he was loved.

To this day I wonder if we had seen something sooner with Nathaniel he would still be here. And I took him to the oncologist for two years... and yet...

so you did what you could with what you knew and I'm sorry this thought will linger

Sometimes kidney failure is slow, sometimes it is fast. I don't know if it will help, but please recall that It took me WEEKS to realize that Xusha had gone blind. Boy, did I feel like an asshole.

You two are the best pet parents I know.

Nora, as so many others have said, cats hide pain and discomfort. You are an excellent pet parent. Taz loved you, he was safe and happy in your Pride. Your doubts and wonderings, they hurt. They are a really sucky part of the grieving process.

I'm sorry, Nora. It really is hard to tell sometimes when a cat is sick. They're so stoic. Please don't beat yourself up. You loved Taz and he was happy.

(((Nora))) it's always terrible to lose a fur friend.