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A little calico/tortie had been abandoned or dumped in my condo complex. For about a month, she was wandering the property, exploring each stairwell and talking up a storm to everyone.

She wouldn't allow anyone else to get too close to her, but she would follow me right up to my front door and allow me to pet her and pick her up. I had checked with many of the neighbors, and no one knew where she came from or if she belonged to anyone.

We were having a very cold snap with temperatures in the teens, and I couldn't imagine this poor kitty being outside in the cold. She was also getting very scraggly looking and was getting skinnier each day, even though I would leave a little food out for her.

I decided to bring her in for the night to the displeasure of my two boys (brothers from the same litter) who were four years old at the time. Little kitty got put up in the bathroom on the night four years to the day that I brought my other two home (had to have been fate).

The next day, she was taken to the vet to get checked out. She had no microchip and was only six pounds. All the no-kill shelters were full, and after two days in my house, she had my heart. She had clearly seen the word "sucker" on my forehead.

Flash forward three years and Charlie is now a healthy 12 pounds. She's the queen of the house, has a horrible raspy meow/screech, and still doesn't get along with one of the boys. Things have definitely been challenging, especially with two not getting along. There have been many issues resulting from that, but I wouldn't change a thing.

To this day, I don't understand how anyone could leave behind, dump, or abandon such a sweet kitty, let alone any animal. I love her and am happy that she's a part of the family. I think I'm now officially considered a crazy cat lady!

Story submitted by Christine Jacobson from Everett, Washington.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!