Same as all the rest said. I had 3 cats and a dog they all lived long lives one 17, one 18, one19 and the dog 19. It was a hard couple /few years as they kind of went in a 3 year bunch.
My Mom died two weeks before the dog and I couldn't be there for her.
My dog and he had a stroke or something, he was in bad shape, I don't cry much but man, I did a lot at the vet, that day. She asked me if I wanted to go in the back away from the window (it was in NYC) and I said no I don't care.....
One thing I have to tell you about the cat w/ kidney problems. I had one who always had infections and when he was 17 the doc told me he had cancer, he suggested it might be best to put him down. He gave him about 3 weeks or so, said when he gets worse it would be better. I kept him going the rest of his time and he died at home. He was really bad the day he died and I was getting ready to take him in. It was harder watching him go that way, knowing he was suffering. I wish I would have done it before I did.
One thing though, I did bury him in what constituted a back yard behind my loft in Chinatown. I felt he would be happier there.
It is never easy, I feel for you.