Another thought here: sometimes we humans let our egos get in the way. Cats do fine w/out us, as much as they love us and are close to us and bond w/us and all that good stuff, they still do fine w/out us. It's we who need them emotionally, not the other way around. Yes, they do need someone to care for them and provide them w/food, shelter, the basics. So many of us here on PT are/were involved in rescue and we see how badly animals can be treated and how they come around after some love and good vet care are administered. However, I think we underestimate our feline friends in their adaptability and we overestimate what we mean to them.