In February 2003, a friend called me at work and said, "Do you want a cat?" I had been tinkering with the idea of getting a cat for a few weeks but kept finding excuses to not get one. I couldn't afford the shots, the trips to the vet, the supplies, getting him/her spayed/neutered, etc. I didn't have the time to devote to a pet. I am allergic to cat dander. Blah blah blah. Every excuse I had, he shot down. She had just been to the vet. All of her shots were current. She was spayed and declawed. She was almost 12 years old and healthy. She was quiet, non-clinging and a self-feeder (meaning that I didn't have to remember to feed her every day--- that if I kept the bowl full, she'd eat what she wanted when she wanted.) The owner was giving up her litter box, pet carrier, a 6-month supply of Iams cat food, her cat brush, her medical records, and a month's supply of crystal blend cat litter. So... I said yes. Around 8 pm that same night, my friend and his friend who had to give up the cat showed up at my apartment with all kinds of goodies and a gray and white cat inside a cat carrier. The owner (at that time) gave me all kinds of instructions and information: "She ONLY eats Iams cat food. She ONLY uses crystal blend cat litter. She HAS to have her litter box cleaned every night. She HAS to have her coat brushed every night. She doesn't like soft foods and she doesn't like toys. She's allergic to plastic. She's afraid of the vet. She doesn't get along with other animals. She's never been outside." The list went on and on. Meanwhile, this gray and white furry thing was yowling to be let out of the carrier. Once the previous owner was done listing all of the cat's "maintenance" requirements, he let her out of the carrier. She rushed out and darted under the coffee table. I reached down to pet her and she hissed and growled at me. The previous owner then went on to tell me that she's not affectionate, not a lap cat and doesn't like to be held, cuddled or touched. Hmph. So much for having a pet. I have dust bunnies that are friendlier than that. My friend and his friend left and I tried to get acquainted with Molly, but she wasn't having any of that. She was scared, nervous and p*ssed off. So, I just left her alone. It took her a good two months to warm up to me enough to let me kinda sorta touch her. Now-- two years later, we're the best of buds. She lets me rub her tummy. She has toys and cat treats. She loves a teaspoon of tuna for breakfast. She uses regular hard-clumping cat litter and drinks tap water. I kept the Iams because I switched to cheaper stuff once and she promptly puked it on my carpet. She has a "bed" in my spare bedroom (where the computer is), by my bed in my bedroom and I keep an old blanket at the foot of my bed for her. Recently, she's begun to sleep with her head on the pillow like I do. I can't imagine life without her.... and I remind her regularly that I saved her furry butt but she just looks at me with those big eyes of hers and I am not sure if I saved her or if she saved me. :)