So sorry about your 'Sheba'.
We had adopted, as a 6 mo kitten, a Russian Blue
who died after 17 years in our family (or we in his).
He outlasted 2 dogs (and was cohabiting with a 3rd), and was definitely the 'alpha' pet in the house. When he died, it left our rescue Beagle *****, as our only pet.
She has bonded to my wife predominately (sleeps next to her in the bed),
but is a hussy for anyone to rub her belly. She's my wife's 'baby' since our 'empty nest' has left us devoid of children.
The youngest (23) is out on his own, trying to 'make it' in the world.
If anything would happen to that Beagle, I think my wife
would be in mourning for months.