I never had pets when I grew up in post-war Germany. I am owned by 1 cat, Chamouti a Cameo Classic Tabby Maine Coon. Panthera, who is my avatar passed away at the age of 18, Capucchino, a sealpoint Birman passed shortly after at the age of 20, Bebe, a silver Persian passed 2 years before them, she also had reached age 18. So they all lived to respectable ages. I have had other cats over the years, too many to mention but they all still live in my heart and in pictures. They were all adopted, none was ever bought.