I had a fabulous dog for 16 years — I think he changed my life, more than any other relationship I’ve had with most people. (There are some standout humans.) And I just lost my precious tuxedo cat who was with me for close to 16 years.

I already had the habit of walking when I met my dog, but he could get me outside in the absolute worst winter weather — that was an amazing boon. And more people in the park where we walked daily knew his name, and not mine, that kind of guy.

My cat was the most present creature I’ve ever spent so much time with. I’ll never “get over her” but I will get another cat — because she didn’t leave the room when I cried, as my dog did. Most affectionate creature I’ve ever lived with — no human has ever achieved or even come close to meeting that.