When I was still living at home, I never got to have a cat because my mother didn't like them. One time when she and my father went to Denmark, they brought this home for me. At the time it didn't soothe me much but now I see that my mother did see how much I longed for a kitty to hold and cuddle
Ah I feel for you - I really desperately wanted a dog - and I got a cat instead. I loved the cat but boy did it make me sneeze. Anyway, now you have a cat and a dog and a lovely heirloom so all is good.