my neighbour's 18 year old cat is in her final hours/days of her life, and looking at it from a person who doesn't know the cat, I would say she should have been euthanized several days ago.

She's had renal and probably liver failure for some time now. About a week ago she stopped eating, and her limbs aren't functioning anymore. She just wets herself because she can't get up anymore.

But euthanasia is a personal choice; my neighbour is in denial and thinks that her purring is a sign she's "happy". Cats purr when they're in pain or anxious, too.

I'm not sure I believe in knowing the "right time". I struggled a lot with that one with my aged dog. I know that in the end I would never have been able to just drive him to the vet and had him put down. He had a stroke and HAD to be put down, so that decision was made for me. But I don't think I could have said "ok, tomorrow at 11am I'll drive him to the vet to be put down".

So, as much as I can say as an impartial third party, I know when it's your beloved baby, you sometimes can't see the "right time".

As corny as it sounds, you should do what you feel is right. There is truth to "life and life worth living", there isn't much joy or dignity in living a life of pain or failure of bodily functions.

I wish you peace in whatever you decide. Know that you gave kitty a very long life full of love - something so many animals are denied.