The thing about us humans is the relationship we develop with our pets, especially if like many, you have had children who have flown the nest, they tend to replace them in our minds and hearts, and so become our family. It is unsurprising that like the passing of a family member we mourn them, and miss their personality which like humans are all different, I still think of and smile over our first cat "henry", 1971-1976, he was the most lovable, mischievous, and handsome a chap you could ever meet, he could not only run up a sheer wall, but seek you out at night and lay in the most amazing ways on your lap, shoulder, even once on my head and the chair back.
paul