Thanks everyone. She didn't appear to be in any pain (you can usually tell) but was running around normally till a few days ago so she really didn't suffer for long as I took her to the vet as soon as I could see she wasn't well.
I had no real idea how old she was as whatever the vets think they can't be sure and even if she was very young when arrived she would have been 9 but could well have been quite a lot older.
You named one after mine Katie? That must be fate as now she lives on somehow. That's nice to know

I'm really sad to hear about Lucy, Satguru

Thanks Jane, that is the downside of pets as they don't last as long as we do and this has to happen sooner or later. But never to put you off having them as all my cats were special.

High for my week is that today I was at my once-a-week job cleaning, and someone came in and me and her and the boss got talking and she mentioned that the place where she worked was looking for someone about my age to work. She is going to drop an application form in tomorrow and so I'll soon be working maybe 10-15 hours a week instead of 1.

Good for you, lioness! A job in these challenging economic times is always a good thing!

Best of luck lioness. I hope you get the job. It is nice to have some pocket money of your own.

My low this week was the awful shock we received yesterday when my 51 year and 1 week old brother-in-law very suddenly passed on. He had a congenital heart disease which we were unaware of, took ill on Saturday and passed away on Monday afternoon. The whole family is still in shock but pulling together to get over it together. Will have a memorial service for him on Thursday morning.

I am so sorry to hear that, lady. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family.

Please accept my most sincere condolences to you and your family Lady1, on such a sad and shocking moment .

I am really sorry to hear this, Lady1. We're all her for you

I am so sorry to hear you're going through such a sad moment Lady1.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.

I'm very sorry to hear this, Lady.
It's especially hard when they seem just fine on the outside and the loss comes like a bolt out of the blue.
I'm glad you can be a comfort to your family at this point. May you all know just the right words to say at the right time for one another.

Lady, I am so sorry to hear the news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. (((( hugs ))))

Oh ... lady1! That is terrible to have happen. Honestly, my heart goes out to you and your family. I've heard it said that a sudden and unexpected death like that is something of a blessing for the person who leaves this world. BUT it's twice the opposite for those left behind (to sort through the grief AND shock at once). Strength exists in numbers - so I hope you hang on tightly to loved ones as you travel through this next period of time. My prayers are with you, too.

Thank you all for your kind wishes. Yes Gats it's true about being hard on the ones left behind especially as he had not been ill (or at least we did not know). We think now he knew his heart was giving in but kept quiet about it. He had 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Tomorrow is going to be a long hard day, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

So sorry to hear the sad news, lady.

That's really sad to hear Lady, I wish you strength for as long as you need it.

My condolences, Lady. My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.

You'll be in my thoughts and I hope you and your family cope well tomorrow and remember him with pleasure.

Will be thinking of you and your family, Lady. Very sorry to hear your sad news.
All the very best to you.

Thank you all so much for your kind words. Just got back after leaving home at 10am this morning (now 9pm). It was a long, sad day. The service was so beautiful and there was not a dry eye in the church.

The family spent the afternoon and evening together and it was so nice to see everyone again. Have made a pact to get together once a year and not wait for weddings and funerals.

Times like these make you realize we should all be kinder to and more tolerant of each other.

lady,
An incredibly hard day is now behind you, but you will have your memories of him to share with each other forever. You know how much your 'family' on here cares about you and we have the pleasure of *getting together* with you most every day. I hope you all keep your pact about the once a year. It's sad that it often takes something like this to make us realize how quickly we get out of touch with each other, but thankfully, that's something that can be changed.

I'm very sorry to hear about your brother-in-law, lady 12 years ago, my uncle had a heart attack and died very suddenly as well, so I know what you and your family must be going through. My condolences go out to to you all.

It is nice to have a FT family to turn to. Thank you both for your kind words.

We'll be here for you when you need us, Lady.

A low for my week that isn't quite so bad as yours though...I'm being packed off to my grandparents' place, so no FT for a week and a half.

Next weekend I may be going camping in the Flinder's Ranges with my boyfriend and his family though. That will be fun.