I am sorry for your loss. I also agree about not making the gift of a kitty a surprise. And I agree furhter that adopting a cat from a rescue that can only be an outside kitty be the way to go. These cats have a harder time finding forever homes because more people want them to stay inside and for one reason or another they cannot. This way you help them by taking them in and giving them a home, they help you by doing what comes naturally to them and they enjoy, while at the same time not condemning a house cat to a life outside.