I had a cat, and did indeed end up bonding with the cat.

While the cat's name was "Trixie," I called it "Cattle."

The cat depended on me for certain things, and in my efforts to support the cat.....well....it's a story for the next time I see you..

Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."