['I still feel the loss of my 19 year old cat Lexi.  She was my first pet as an adult.']
oh man. was just talking to someone about that type of thing. i had a pet dog who was hit by a car back when I was in jr high. i have friends who have recently lost their lifelong pets and i know they're still reeling to some extent.
I had a cat who lived to be 19 years old.   She was one of the best things to happen to me.  I still feel her loss