Dot was my life for the last 9 years. On on August 22nd 2016, I held his paw in my hand as our time was cut short. It hurts knowing he left my side, but I find comfort in the fact that at least I had 9 years with him. He was more than a pet, he was a loving companion, part of our family and my best friend. Dot came into my life at a very significant time. A few months earlier, when I was 15, my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer and Dot helped me cope with it. When he was a kitten he never wanted to leave my side, he would even shower with me. As he grew older he developed a very laid back personality and LOVED to cuddle. If I was on the couch, he was on my lap. He would go to bed with me every night and would meow like crazy at the door of the bedroom if it was past bedtime and I wasn't there to lie next to him yet. He came when I called his name and was an exceptionally well behaved cat. Dot left a good impression even on the people not too fond of kitties. Everyone fell in love with Dot and the stories I would tell. Unfortunate at 8 and 1/2 Dot fell ill with diabetes. My husband, the vet, my family and I did everything possible for Dot. We got him the at home AlphaTrak2 to check his glucose, changed his diet multiple times, did glucose curves and comforted him on his worst days. We were never able to regulate him and 6 months later while I was out of town on my bachelorette party, Dot was put under 24 hour care for pancreatitis. I came home and visited him daily. But with four days of care, showed no signs of improvement. That fourth day I cried like I've never cried in my life, I knew what the outcome was looking like. Unresponsiveness to treatment after this long meant it was unlikely he would beat the pancreatitis. I spent time just thinking about all of his suffering over the past 6 months and how much it hurt me to watch him go through this. And thought about how he must feel. After talking to his vet and the emergency care doctor, I realized I needed to let go. So, 6 days before our wedding, I went one last time to visit him and say goodbyes with my husband and sister. I told him I loved him and always will. It broke my heart to see him leave me and he took a piece of me when he left. Two months later and my husband and I are still grieving, I’m not sure it will ever end. Always remembered, never forgotten.