Oh, our poor big dumb Loafy. We woke up this morning to flat, miserable yowling and knew our reprieve was over. The heart disease had caught up with him and it was time.
He died quietly on the rug in our vet's living room while we stroked his fur, and we took him home and buried him under the big cedar elm in the corner of the backyard.
He was tranquil and sweet, handsome and goofy. He made us laugh every day and in return asked only for some food and the occasional scritch under the chin, which was covered in the softest fur in the world.
Sweetloaf, you were a good boy and probably the nicest cat I ever met. We will miss you.