Do you think your 17 year old cat remembers it's kitten hood and frolicking in the grass with you?

We have to remember that Cat's aren't the same as us, they are aloof and independently minded and care little for nostalga, I find it helps to remind yourself that if you were locked in a room with your beloved pet and you passed away, had you not the fore-sight to leave food down, the poppet would be eating your face by day 3