Stranded on a partially frozen river in a locked cage, a grateful calico cat was rescued by Montana firefighters on December 27.
Firefighters say the cat -- most probably thrown from a nearby bridge -- landed on an icy section of Missoulas Clark Fork River, instead of in the water. A large rock was also found inside the cage.
Two passersby heard the cat meowing, and called for help.
When we first took it out of the cage, we expected it to be pretty feisty after the whole ordeal it went though, firefighter Philip Keating tells the Associated Press. It was really skinny, nothing but skin and bones, and had collar marks where a too-small collar had rubbed the fur off its neck. But it was really friendly.
Another firefighter, Josh Macrow, took the cat home to his daughter and named it Lucky.
Posted: Jan. 3, 2006, 3p.m. EST