On Tuesday night, our cat Fred was yowling and crying in pain - he couldn't use his left back leg.
On Wednesday, I spent all day (and $200+) with him, trying to get him in to see a vet. We found out he will need surgery to repair a deteriorating hip joint.
On Thursday morning, after I'd lectured J about keeping him inside, on my watch, he snuck outside.
He has been gone ever since.
And I am devastated.