I found the story.

Wow.

How's the relationship with the cat, now?

Sadly, he became very ill last summer and we had to put him down. I actually miss the monster.

-Blast

Well, of course you do. He got under your skin . . . .

Seriously, though, you have my sympathies. Two legs or four, they're still family.

The licking was affection. It's one of the ways pride/pack members bond. You were his family, too.