I moved into a new apartment about 6 months ago and shortly afterward, a little blonde kitty started visiting me. She looked very young, maybe just old enough to be weaned. I walked around with her a bit trying to find the owner and someone let me know who she belonged to. I returned her.

A few days later, the kitten was back. I tried bringing her back, but no one answered the door. I then tried the neighbor that told me who the owners were, and they took the kitten and said they would return her when the neighbors got home. They also informed me that the kitty was an indoor- outdoor cat now.

Over the next couple months, this routine repeated itself. Kitten would come to see me, I would return her. I eventually started keeping her overnight if the weather was crappy. I would feed her and she'd immediately pass out next to me on the couch. She made herself at home.

One time, I had her for three nights before my neighbors texted me to let me know the owners were looking for her. The next morning, I cop-knocked on their door at 6am and said, "look, I found your cat!"

I didn't see the kitty for a few weeks after, so I thought they were finally taking care of her. Two weeks ago, she showed up on my porch, absolutely filthy, covered in fleas, had ear mites and had cuts and sores on her head. I gave her a bath and flea treatment, gave her meds for ear mites and just gave her love. She starts purring as soon as I pick her up.

I'm never giving this cat back.