I know exactly what you mean
I had to have my fifteen year old Maine coon put down last week after she started experiencing massive cramps and having taken her to the local vet hospital at around midnight discovered a tennis ball sized lump in her abdomen that had gone unnoticed through various checkups etc. She went into shock in my arms and the worst thing was that I couldn't tell the kids until the end of school the day after. They didn't get a chance to say goodbye because they didn't know anything was wrong when they went to bed. Our other cat is still wandering around looking out of sorts and we are all still miserable as anyone who has had Maine coons will know they are big dog like softies who demand human affection.

Clicks
( number5 has been fighting tramps and losing., Wed 20 Oct 2010, 7:39, 1 reply)

They are wonderful animals
My mum helps out with a local cat charity, and they have a Maine Coon. He is a big dopey lovely fool who lays on everyone as soon as they sit down.
(bobman500 enjoys a grope as much as the next fella, Wed 20 Oct 2010, 18:02, closed)

Yeah
She has left a big shaggy cat sized hole in our lives. She had her moments though, she got hit full on by a car outside our house once, bounced down the road on three working limbs climbed two eight-foot fences and came round to our back door and just meowed to be let in and even then limped straight to her bowl. Pretty much had to persuade her to go to the vet!!!!! Feeling sad again. Bugger.
( number5 has been fighting tramps and losing., Wed 20 Oct 2010, 18:36, closed)