Cat of the Month, July 2017: Gary

In June 2009, Matthias Scheiblehner acquired a new roommate … in the form of Gary, a fluffy then-12-year-old kitty. “Gary moved in with my downstairs neighbor in 2009,” Matthias says. “She had a newborn named Echo, and things weren’t going well between Echo and Gary. Echo liked Gary; Gary had major reservations about Echo. After some tentative explorations of the upstairs unit in the house, Gary decided to pack his things and move up.”

Now 20 years old, Gary—the Rainier Veterinary Hospital July Cat of the Month—occasionally and proudly wears a lion cut as well as occasionally but not so proudly gets a bath. Matthias says, “I wouldn’t say that Gary likes baths, but he is remarkably stoic when you put him in the water.”

Because, as Matthias says, “Gary” is a pretty hard name to beat, this sweet cat doesn’t have any nicknames. Plus, he is rumored to be named after Gary Payton, 13-year Seattle SuperSonics player who holds the Seattle franchise records in points, assists, and steals.

And once Gary the cat gets to know you, he’ll steal your heart by letting you give him endless chin scratches. Matthias says it will take a little while, but then Gary is very affectionate. Handsome Gary also is pretty excited about food and sleep.

And at 20 years of age, we can absolutely understand! You’re welcome to take all the cat naps you want at Rainier Vet, Gary, because you’ve certainly stolen our hearts.

About Our Cat of the Month Program

Here’s how our Cat of the Month program works: Each staff member provides a nomination for the distinguished honor, and then we vote. The highest vote wins! Any kitty patients who visit us during the prior month are eligible.