he managed to get himself out to the backyard where he lay down in the sun. when the sun moved, we put him on a chair on the porch. i sat with him for over 3 hours, watching him through the spasms and everything else a body goes through at the end. the kids all said goodbye and gave him numerous pats throughout the afternoon.
finally, it got too cold out there, and we put him in a box and brought him inside by the heater, even though he was beyond feeling, hearing or seeing by then. i sat with my hand on his side and stayed that way until he took his last breath.
he was a great cat and had been with us for about 12 years. i got him when i was about 17 or so.
as a kitten he was quite sickly and used to sleep tucked inside my shirt. he still adored skin to fur contact, despite usually avoiding being picked up or generally loved on.
he could usually be found sleeping under the motorbike or in one of mums plant pots, squashing the new growth. he used to steal the sponge off the kitchen bench, and was a great big brother to tippy, always ready for a wrestle and fun, only growling at him this year when he lost weight.
rest in peace, joker. you are loved always and will be forever missed.