We had to put our dog down awhile back. We had him since i was little (early 90's). We got him when my dad was in Saudi. He was a pecanise or however you spell it.
I cried the night he died honestly. I remember being woke up if i wanted to go to the vet with him to see him before they put him down and i was too tired and said no. I regret not going to see him for a last time so i'd be happy that you were the last thing your pet saw before it past on. Sorry for your loss, it will be weird around the house without it.
Some advice though if you can bare it, get another cat, doesn't have to look like the old one or anything but it seems to help a little bit because you will see things in the new cat that reminds you of the old one and you'll learn to love the new one.
oh yea eff all you animal h8ters