What a beautiful story. Animals are sometimes kinder than humans....
We lost a cat to neighbors with a BB gun several years ago. He was ours for 9 years. My son played Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" at the "funeral". Poor lady. I understand her pain. I still miss Angus :(
I had a cat named Angus too. He had to have a "hug" everyday!
When I was in grade school, we had a neighbor who shot at our cat. One night he heard him take a shot, so I got my BB gun. As soon as he shot again, I shot at the tree right next to my neighbor. He immediately went back into the house.