Hi Andy, First off I am so very sorry for your loss, like you, it was exactly the same way that I found Purrs, it is an immense comfort to talk to people who know exactly where you are coming from and understand the pain you are feeling just now
You have to remember that you gave this lady a brilliant life for over 17 years and when it came to the final kindness, you had the strength to be there for Tabby and let her go with dignity. Pain, yes it is there for a while, some for longer than other's..... It took me quite a few years with My Hamish, struggling with the guilt that I never noticed he was unwell, and of course, forgetting that they grow old before us
With Misty, I accepted it more quickly, mainly because I had done everything to the best of my ability to keep his quality of life going to the very end.
Yes it is never easy to let these furkids go, but it is just the cycle of life, Memories of habit will be very sharp for you just now
but with time they will become less painful, Forget them? No you will never forget them. Tabby has left a pawprint on your heart and it will be there always
Remember, we are all here for you if you need to talk