...and also the main plot point of Gibson's short story, "The Winter Market". Though the cat remains both alive and dead at the end: the ending of the story, IIRC, has the protag confronting the decision of whether or not to accept the invitation of his now-uploaded ex to get (back?) in touch. Dubious as he is that someone uploaded is (1) them and (2) actually a consciousness and (3) a person.