I adopted Angel the same year my mother died, in the summer of 1998.  I heard about her thru someone at work that she was up for adoption at a local animal hospital in Madison Heights, Michigan.  I actually had planned for one of her kittens, but when I heard they were adopted already, I decided to adopt Angel.  She was a blood donor at the hospital.  She was a beautiful calico cat, similar to one I had before that died years ago.  Angel was a great cat and got along great with the dog I had at the time, Austin, who died about two years ago.  She was so loving and liked to play alot and really, just wanted to be a part of a family.  My boyfriend Greg came into our lives almost four years ago.  He loved her from the day they met, and he use to sing to her "she's like an angel". It was hard for me to work all day, and know that she was home alone.  About a month ago, I took her to the vet and he found lumps on her.  I knew she had them, but one got bigger and I was concerned.  Dr. J. said he could do surgery, have them removed, and of course, told me about the expense, especially if she had to have chemo if it was breast cancer (like he thought it could be).  After talking to several people, and discussing it with Greg and his mom, it was decided I wouldn't put her through the pain and discomfort of surgery (she never had surgery before).  She became what I like to call my sweet little hospice patient.  The past two weeks, she developed problems breathing and didn't have any bowel movements (maybe once a week).  I knew it was not a good sign. I thought that she could possibly have a fur ball stuck somewhere, so I tried some mineral oil thinking it would help her out some.  It did not.  She ate very little and lost alot of weight in a short period of time.  Greg and I took her to the vet's yesterday and the vet said her lungs were full of fluids, and if she had a week to live, that would be it.  I said I couldn't bear to watch her suffer another week, and decided to have her put to sleep.  After losing my dog Austin not too long ago, it was a very, very tough decision. But I held her and felt her take her last breath of air.  I did what had to be done with love for my cat.  I beat myself up thinking that maybe, just maybe, if she had the surgery done a month ago, it would have made a difference.  But honestly, if it went into her lungs, I am also wondering if she would have survived surgery at all. I guess I'll never know.  I just know now that she is at peace, and I loved her so much.  She doesn't have to suffer.  I think the hardest things we have to do in our lifetimes are saying goodbye to our loved ones, whether they are people or animals, it doesn't matter.  She will always be a part of me and live on in my heart & soul.  Good bye, Angel, I love you and will never forget you!