It's way after the fact, but you have my condolences, and I can understand you not wanting to name your new pet after the old one. I have a cat myself that is going on nine years old and I've had her since she was 3 months old or thereabouts and I have no idea how I will take it when it's her time. I love her like I've never loved a pet before. She's the only cat I've owned and even thinking about losing her seems huge, so I can only imagine at this point what you must have been going through when you began this thread. I wish you warm memories of your old pet and many warm memories to be made with the new ones you may have.