Thanks for this.

I had lost another cat a few months ago, but he was elderly and had been struggling with a chronic illness for almost 2 years, so it wasn't a surprise when he reached the point that it was time to say goodbye. And although I loved him, I didn't have quite such a strong bond with him. So I was sad when he died, but it wasn't as devastating as this.

I've never had such a strong connection with a pet until my little girl. I suppose it's kind of... fitting that the very first time we met, she fell asleep upside down in my lap, and that was how she left life as well.