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(2694montanabydoorrot8oil1aa)
I got Montana as an SPCA or Shelter cat, a little over 4 years ago. I had never had an all indoor cat before, and I hadn't had any cat at all, indoor or outdoor, for many years. I really wanted a dog, but my landlord would not let me have one. I went to the Hearltand Humane Society, in Corvallis, and their usual charge was $80. At the time, and now I know better, much, much better; I couldn't really see paying $80 when one could find little kittens for free all the time, or so it seemed. But, they had a half-price sale because they had a glut of all black cats, and of black & white cats. I decided I could try to come up with the $40 and then the $100 deposit to my landlord. That was a lot for me. I carefully looked at the older cats that were the "sale" cats and saw an all black one on the top row. I reached up to put my finger in the cage and stroke it, and it snipped me. I didn't like that at all, and decided that wasn't the cat for me. The next cage had Montana, although that wasn't his name at the time. I put my finger up to him, and I swear he did the physically impossible. He squirmed and wiggled until every square inch of him that could be petted was as reachable to me as possible. It was so endearing. I took him out, and he was a big lug, about 12 pounds, and nowadays more like 13 or 14. But I am big too, so we got along really well, and I made arrangements to hold him one day while I got some food and water dishes for him and a toy, and a place to sleep, etc. He is so loving, and smart. He came with a free vet exam, which the vet said she was surprised I used. She said, sadly, most people don't. She also said indoor cats live about 13 years longer than outdoor, on average. He had been neutered, had shots, came with a collar and a carrier box. The vet said one shot alone would have been $35 if I hadn't gotten him at Heartland. So I love my sale cat; he is good company, and sleeps on my lap most nights. I named him Montana because that means mountain, and when I got him he was like a little mountain of fluff.
Oh, and he is no longer ALL indoors (though so far Cerulean is). Montana had 2 and a half years, before I got him, to be all boy and run around town. Once in awhile he runs past my feet and out the door. I worry about him getting hurt out there or bringing me poison oak or something, but it is a tradeoff for something he enjoys sometimes. He waits by the front door or on my truck after a short time out.

The other day, I came home from 12 hours being gone to watch Anna, and a tuxedo cat crossed the highway in front of me and went toward where I live. I thought, OMG, Montana was supposed to be inside when I left this morning. I was sure of it. Upon closer inspection, it seems that my new neighbors have a tuxedo cat. Gave me a start! Obviously the highway can be dangerous, but I have only seen Montana on it once, about 3 years ago. That was once too much as far as I was concerned. I scolded him but good! I think Montana and I have been a great match.

With the loss of my big Frankie Puss - I located a shelter in Vancouver privately owned called, Meow-Aid. I donated cat food, toys, scratching posts, litter, and bags and bags of cat treats to this shelter.

This shelter is a no-kill facility which houses strays and older cats. In the basement of this old heritage home, it is neatly decked out with cat beds and food with an outdoor facility to allow the cats to wander safely. People with big hearts - who fund the facility with the help of volunteers and others to help them.

I spoke to all the lovely little pussy cats inside - I spied one big cat who looked exactly like my big Lover Boy - Georgie. He was a huge cat, older and my heart flipped when I saw him. I felt such a loss at seeing him......oh, how I loved Georgie too! I so loved each and every one of my cats, they were all so special and unique.

I left the shelter with pangs in my heart, thinking of the kindness of the shelter. I am not ready to have another pet.

In the past 2.5 years I have had to let 3 of my lovely cats go (cancer for 2 and diabetes for 1). Two lived to 16 and 17 years old. And my beloved bugsy was 10 years old. My heart is not ready to take on any pets, I am still grieving from their losses. However, I will always provide donations and help to animals in need.

Bless their little souls.