my condolences on the loss of your cat. It's upsetting when they go.

Yes, they do have characters. Even though they don't have the ability to speak, they can often get their wishes across. Dawn comes up beside me and tugs at a blanket the lays on the back of the couch. What she's after is for me to drape the blanket across the end of the couch forming a tent for her to sleep in. I did it one day as a tease and she apparently liked it, cause she comes and demands it every day now.

There have been many studies that have proven that animals like cats and dogs do make very healthy companions for people and do contribute to their wellbeing.