We have 5 cats, and the three boys are allowed to go outdoors, the girls are indoor only.

Two years ago, we lost Henry, our beloved 2 year ball of fire. The Vet thinks he may have had West Nile virus.

Once that happened, we would not allow Reese to go out again. She was just a year at the time, and had not been out much at all, so it was not a big issue keeping her inside. Shortly after Henry died, we got Abby. She was just 8 weeks old, and being strictly indoors never was an issue with her, either.

The boys - Duffy is the only one who was with us when Henry died. He was 4 at the time, and loves the outdoors - I couldn't keep him in all the time. He would have died of a broken heart. Our other two boys, Grady and Red, have joined us during the past 10 months. Both were strays who wandered into our yard and hearts. Both were used to being outdoors.

We live in the country, at the end of a dead-end dirt road - so no traffic. The boys will all come when they are called. They are all chipped - as are the girls - and really don't spend an exorbitant amount of time outside. We have a great back porch where they all love to congregate. Rugs and cat beds and food and water and toys - what more could they want.