This is so emotional. I know it's not the same, but I have a cat I love very much. I feel he is like a son to me, he is very responsive and affectionate, sleeps with me at nights. I rescued him and adopted him when he was two months old and I can't help but wonder how his life was before I found him. Where was he born? Where was he sleeping? Was he a wild cat or a lost house cat? Was he an orphan? Did he have siblings? Did he see his mother die? Or was his mother looking for him when I got him? Does he remember anything?

Again, I know its not the same, but the feeling you describe is familiar to me for this reason.