Lara, I am a huge cat lover. I have had to put down 2 long time pets in the last 3 years due to old age and illness. Each time, my heart was broken for many months. Chico, my year old cat, was down in the dumps when Sam left. That even made me more sad. Everyone told me to give it as much time as I needed and when that time came months later, I went out and got Cabo, a 9 week old kitten. They are now best buds and crack me up. So I hope when you may be ready one day, you go out and find a new pet - one day you will love that pet just the same, not as a replacement, but a new companion.