A very close friend's cat passed away last night. I feel very sad for him. My friend recently moved and the cat wasn't his normal self. When my friend got home from work Monday, his cat had vomited all over and then was not eating. He was breathing really heavy. My friend rushed him to the vet. The vet did some exploratory surgery and thought the spline had developed cancer. When the doctor was closing up after removing the cat's spline, the cat passed away. The only positive point was that the cat was under anaesthesia and didn't suffer. My friend was afraid he was going to have to tell the doctor to put him to sleep but he just couldn't do that. I don't think I'd be able to do that either. Thankfully, my friend didn't have to make that decision. This cat was very special to my friend. He's had the cat for I think 12 years. This cat was like a son to him. I always enjoyed petting the cat and playing with him when I visited my friend. Even though I don't have a pet, I do understand and realize how special pets are to people with no children. My friend was noticeably upset about his cat's death. I don't think I'm very comforting during times like this. I never know what to say. I felt very bad for him. I wish I was there to hold him and just listen to him. The phone lacks that physical element. I did my best to comfort him on the phone and listen to him. I hope he'll be okay. I feel for him and wish I was there to comfort him.