Lily is a real beauty!

Our story is very similar....we had our Moochiecat for 13 years and we suddenly had to let her pass. It was devastating to say the least and we were just shattered.

We took some of her things and the rest of her food and litter to the SPCA but we couldn't bear to go into the cat rooms. About a week later we brought some more stuff and we did go in. I think I've left a big piece of my heart there. As we were leaving we noticed a section of the building that was unused, and in the window was a table with a blanket in a basket and a note with a picture of Ella. She had her own area of the building to herself because she couldn't stand the other cats!!
We went in to meet her and from moment one, she was nothing but friendly and sweet.
We went through that whole thing about bringing home a cat that looked so much like Moochie, but the differences are many, so home she came....and of course, now she runs the place...lol

A home is truly not a home without a cat, so congrats to you and Lily!