Yesterday, I lost my oldest friend.

This is Skeet. He was almost 20 years old.

Yesterday, I said goodbye to him. He suffered from a range of old-age related issues; he was deaf, he was thin and he was confused, but he was happy and brimming with love for the entirety of his long life. He was my best friend, and at times, he was the only thing I had. I have never loved an animal more than I love this cat. Even though I knew this was inevitable - you can't fight the twilight years, I know this - there was nothing that could have prepared me for it. He went to sleep and didn't wake up. He was ready. I was never going to be ready, but he was. That little, fluffy, magnificent beast, my first pet, my trusted friend, the most beautiful cat on the planet is gone. My heart is utterly broken.

Goodnight, my baby. I love you, I will always love you, and I will never forget you and the impact you've had on my life.