Our 16 yo Luna cat has had some issues with her teeth that started to cause her drooling, and we took her to vet today. Unfortunately, during the inspection veterinarian found a lump from other side under her jaw, which she suspected to be a tumor. She consulted a vet dentist, who also inspected Luna and said it's 95% likely a tumor under her jaw, and even if the cause would be teeth related disease, the operation needed would be extremely stressful process for cat of her age, where the end result could still be the same. Besides the teeth issue she was still in relatively good shape, purring and had still her appetite.
They both recommended euthanasia, saying it's better at this point instead of waiting for too long and causing unnecessary suffering for her, as her condition would likely keep deteoriating fast. We had already decided beforehand to pay for the dental operation if needed to get her better. But we didn't expect a tumor. Thus we agreed to put her to sleep. She was already 16 years old, unfortunately her time with us had passed.
We buried her under an oak tree in our yard, and her spirit can now protect us and the rest of our 2D family members. We had noticed that during the last several months she was getting to our lap more often than before, usually every evening. Perhaps it was her way to say goodbye. She was amazing cat with legendary appetite; I once cooked a duck breast and had left it in the frying pan to cool for a while. After getting back to the kitchen, Luna had already pushed the duck breast from the pan to the floor, and was enjoying her culinary meal!
Here she had recently arrived to us:
This picture of her is few years ago from our current home:
They both recommended euthanasia, saying it's better at this point instead of waiting for too long and causing unnecessary suffering for her, as her condition would likely keep deteoriating fast. We had already decided beforehand to pay for the dental operation if needed to get her better. But we didn't expect a tumor. Thus we agreed to put her to sleep. She was already 16 years old, unfortunately her time with us had passed.
We buried her under an oak tree in our yard, and her spirit can now protect us and the rest of our 2D family members. We had noticed that during the last several months she was getting to our lap more often than before, usually every evening. Perhaps it was her way to say goodbye. She was amazing cat with legendary appetite; I once cooked a duck breast and had left it in the frying pan to cool for a while. After getting back to the kitchen, Luna had already pushed the duck breast from the pan to the floor, and was enjoying her culinary meal!
Here she had recently arrived to us:
This picture of her is few years ago from our current home:
I can imagine it wasn't easy to make this decision, but you did save her further suffering. And thanks to the time she had with you she's taken many years of positive memories with her to the other side 
Perhaps it brings you a little comfort also, to remember that you have blessed her life and growth just as much as she has blessed yours. 
