Two years ago this week, I had just finished another semester of teaching and was excited to embark on two weeks of winter vacation. I was still heartbroken over the loss of my beloved Lola in June, but I had begun to look at photos of shelter cats in need. I had looked at many, but none called to me. I wasn’t sure I was ready, and I had no idea whether I could truly love another cat the way I had adored Lola. We were soulmates. How could I ever expect to bond with a pet that way again in this lifetime? On Saturday, December 19th, I was browsing our rescue group’s Facebook page and looking at the many cats and kittens around Texas who were in need of rescue, when a tiny ball of calico fluff caught my eye. She looked like baby Lola, except her coloring was darker. I realized immediately that my attraction was solely based on this resemblance, and I chastised myself for even considering what was clearly the impossible hope of a replacement. I wasn’t ready for a new cat, I decided, and