I remember itty bitty 8-year-old me scanning the cages of the local pet store like it was just yesterday, wondering which kitten I would take home. There was this litter of five tiger-striped fur balls, prancing around in hopes of being chosen.

Meanwhile, in the back, sat a small, grey fluff. He was the adorable outcast of the bunch. He was the one.

That small, grey fluff went on to be known as Smokey.

I have so many fond memories of him, too. There was the time he had a "climbing phase" and would dig his claws into Dad's pant leg and make his way up to his shoulders so he could watch him prepare his coffee in the morning.

Then, there was the time he broke into his stash of catnip we kept in the kitchen drawer. We came home to a case of the munchies.

The best part about Smokey was that he, unlike most other cats, wasn't standoffish whatsoever. For such a little creature, he had so much love.

For 10 years I came home to Smokey pouncing up on the kitchen table — that's no longer used as a kitchen table because it became a cat perch — greeting me with a million meows.

Each night, he'd leap up and make himself cozy at the foot of my bed. He'd even crawl up on me so I wouldn't have any other choice but to pet him.

Well, I had to say goodbye a couple of weeks ago. The circumstances were unexpected, and it hurt.

But, it was time for him to go home to God.

The thing is, you can never be prepared for the pain you feel when you have to part with a pet. They're more than just the furry residents in your home.

They're family. They're a joy in our lives.

When Smokey came into my life, he brought that joy. So when you give a girl a kitten, you're giving her an unforgettable friend.

Losing my pet made me realize that everyone's presence is a present. Always appreciate the moments you have with your loved ones.