It is
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. A comforting weight on her chest, paws reaching towards her neck, a tiny whiskered face as close to hers as possible, his breath on her cheek as he purrs rhythmically. She strokes the soft mass of his orange fur, and he closes his eyes, content. Three houses and an apartment, a pandemic, gentleman callers and friendships come and gone. Constant through it all, always wanting to cuddle. He loves her so. She loves him so. She always will.
The best feline friend there ever was lives on in the hearts of the crew. He is the figurehead of this ship, his regal form carved into its wooden bow. At night, the memory of his purrs echo through the cabins, a comforting white noise that mixes in with the sound of the waves and lulls the crew to peaceful sleep.