I envy you having a really close relationship with your parents. I never have. They're wonderful people, but very stiff-upper lip British, and not affectionate nor given to praise. My dad is slowly caving to dementia (he and my mum are both 86), and my mother's health is iffy, so I don't see them being around much longer, and it's a scary thought. Even though we're not close, they're *there*, you know, at the other end of the telephone line, and I can't imagine otherwise. So I definitely get how you feel.

My younger cat is one of the best things in my life. She is so full of love and lunacy and fluff and I don't know what I'd do without her. I love my other cat, but it's a love-hate relationship - she is difficult, vocal, and standoffish, and there are days when I feel like selling her. I never would, but I sure feel like it sometimes!