I am a night owl by nature. When my dog Soucha was put to sleep on November second, these nights became longer and lonelier than I have ever known.

One night after a particularly intense crying session, Roxie, one of the five felines who allow me to live them, jumped quietly into my lap. She is a petite calico with a saucy personality who enjoys sitting in strange places just to make me nervous, such as on top of my printer. Along with this, of course, comes the stare that says, "Yes, I'm up here. Deal with it!" So for her to be in my lap was unusual to say the least.

Roxie was not content with my lap, however. As I watched in disbelief, she crawled up into my arms, put her head on my shoulder and began to purr contentedly. When I woke, she was still there .....amazing.

Ever since that night, she has been my constant companion, just as Soucha had been. She is everywhere, even on the keyboard as I try to type. What does she know? How does she know it? I don't know.

But somewhere, I feel Soucha smiling.