We've had cats, usually multiple, for the last 38 years (with just one six-month "sabbatical" in all that time), and we've loved and lost and I wouldn't have had it any other way. But I think we've had our last pussycat now.

They can stay with you to the end. Number 10 here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/10/cat-best-investment_n_3876550.html