We reached a milestone in our household this month — our cat Fu turned 20 years old on Aug. 15.

That’s pretty impressive. Although there doesn’t seem to be specific information available about how many cats reach such an old age, the general consensus is that the averagae lifespan of a domestic cat is 13-17 years. An estimated 1-3% make it to 20 years old, and they are considered centenarians, equivalent to a human living into their late 90s or reaching age 100.

Providing a loving home for a pet is one of the most fulfilling things I have done in my life.

I am not a parent, so I can’t compare it to that life-changing experience, and I do not consider my pets to be my children; however, I do grow very attached to them and feel that they are part of my family. I take the responsibility of providing for them quite seriously.

It is easy to fall in love with a little fur ball that is filled with energy and curiosity. Even if you are adopting a pet that is not particularly young, they have a way of winning you over.

It was just over 20 years ago that a very attractive but obviously pregnant orange cat showed up on our front porch, appearing rather desperate for some care. My husband, Mike, and I dubbed her “Yellow,” provided food and water, and eventually offered her a shelter where she delivered a litter of five kittens on Aug. 15, 2005.

At first, she was very protective of her little progeny, hiding them in her little shelter while keeping them clean and fed. It wasn’t long, though, before they started spilling out of it on their own, exploring our porch and then largely taking up residence beneath it.

Within a few weeks, we knew that we had a big task ahead of us. We already had a dog and two cats, so we certainly didn’t have room for six more pets. We needed to find homes for the whole lot of them.

Our veterinarian, being a wonderful person in addition to a great doctor, cut us a break and spayed the mother cat at a reduced rate. We continued to care for her and her kittens while looking for ways to rehome them.

Working with Webark Estates and some other local humane organizations, we eventually found some candidates. We would box up the whole litter and take them to meet potential owners.

A family in Wheeling was quick to adopt the pair of calico sisters. A week or so later, a Bellaire woman decided to take in the two orange tiger striped boys.

Each time we went to visit someone new, though, the runt of the litter would find a way to hide. She crawled under our car seats and behind people’s furniture — anyplace she could go to avoid meeting strangers.

That little gray tiger-striped furball managed to elude all of the people who might have wanted to call her their own. So, she got a full slate of veterinary care and moved in with us. Sadly, although we allowed Yellow to continue living on our porch, she had a heartworm infection and died by mid-fall.

Fu soon took over the household, running circles around our older cats and perching atop the coffee table to swat at the dog every time he passed by. He outweighed her by 30 pounds, but she never hesitated to wrestle him to the ground when the spirit moved her.

Fu has certainly slowed down since then, and as her age has climbed so have her vet bills. Still, Mike and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Happy belated birthday, Fu! We have loved spending 20 years with you.

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On a sadder note, the Ohio Valley lost a tremendous person and journalist on Aug. 15. Jim Cochran, a reporter and columnist with the Wheeling Newspapers, died at age 90.

I worked with Jim in the former Journal office in Moundsville for about three years. Despite his decades of experience, I was the bureau chief — but I certainly never needed to tell Jim what to do.

Jim knew just about everyone in Marshall County, and he knew a lot about them as well. He taught me a great deal about what it means to be a community journalist.

Jim almost always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He truly loved his job and his hometown.

I will miss Jim and all that he had to share, as will everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace.