This touched so many chords in me. I had a male cat....man, I loved that cat.....who had to spend time at the vet's for bladder stones. Like you, I remember the yowling and the vocalizing when I came to visit. He was so unhappy there, and it tore my heart out.
"Another thing that became apparent was that I was there for her, in every way I could be. Some of us have the opportunity -- nay, privilege -- of being with our pet while they are dying, and others of us do not. "
I wasn't there with my cat when he passed, and I will never stop regretting it nor eating my heart out over it.
Laz, you've written a lot of good pieces, but I'm saving this one. Hugs to you.
Please reread that part. You will understand that you did all you could -- even if you were in the next room and couldn't bring yourself to be there, you STILL did all you were *capable* of at that time -- and that should help a lot.