Dear Librarian,

My kitty is getting old, so I'm starting to make plans for her demise. What all should I do when Ms. Kitty goes on to the hereafter?

-Name Withheld

Dear Name Withheld,

I feel for you. No subject, lately, has been nearer or dearer to my own heart than the loss of a beloved companion animal. I'm proud of you for looking reality dead on, and have some questions for you to ask yourself. First, what do you wish to do with Ms. Kitty's earthly remains? Do you have a backyard in which to bury her, even though it is illegal? Or, would you prefer to have her cremated? Or, will you leave the details to her veterinarian? If you are considering cremation, I urge you to find out the price before you sign the papers, as you could be shocked at the outrageous prices crematories are charging these days. You also might want to consider a little memorial, where you can serve delightful cocktails to Ms. Kitty's human friends and you can all take turns recounting amusing tales about Ms. Kitty exploits and sharing touching memories. Then, everyone can have a big group cry and an even bigger group hug, and afterwards, you'll be amazed at little you miss your Ms. Kitty, but long for the hair of the dog that bit you the night before! Wait at least a year before making any major decisions (like whether to get married or to move or buy a new car), but only wait a month before deciding whether you want a new kitty, or not.