loneliness and cats

My two cats have helped me through loss of husband in 2014. I sold the house, bought a bungalow with pretty garden and got my two cats from Blue Cross. Willow is an overweight female tabby, very pretty but nervous, she was in a cage with a little black & white cat called Jessy who is affectionate and active, I couldn't resist them. They have been a such a comfort, affection and source of amusement. They help me with all my activities, ie sitting on keyboard, chewing edge of my watercolour paper while I am trying to paint, and pulling threads on my knitting, but instead of being so lonely I have two living beings with me to share my home. I am 73 and feel so much better now and would recommend pets after bereavement to anyone.