At first, she was just a skin and bones stray kitten. I had been feeding her, but we were determined to keep a distance from each other. She ran when I came close and I had no use for a second cat.

Obviously, the kitten considered my yard home. Even on cold nights she flattened herself against the sunroom window and watched me through the glass.

One evening in the fall of 2004, though, while I was standing in the front door, she walked right up to me. She looked up and with her big green eyes clearly inquired, “Can I come in?”

I said no.