He arrived in early February 2005. Although new to our quiet middle class neighborhood, he acted as if he belonged there. A tiger cat with silver markings, with just enough brown and white to highlight them.

But what struck you were his eyes. Huge, round, they went straight into your soul without mercy.

The first day he walked up our driveway like he owned the place. Vocal, he meowed his introductions as we stroked his fur.

Affectionate - he nibbled your fingers as he accepted all attention he felt entitled to. He wore an old collar with no information. Obviously well fed, his stomach would swing with his strides.

I reassured my partner that he belonged to someone, and was just visiting. Secretly...I was worried. We already owned three cats, and one required daily medical attention. We didn't need another one. But Charlie soon wandered off so I relaxed a little.

The following day he was sitting on our front door mat, waiting for us to return from work. This was very bad. My partner didn't help matters when she let him in.

Needless to say our cats were not pleased to see Charlie. He sniffed noses and ignored hisses...he wanted to explore the house and had no time for their petty complaints. Amazed, we watched him explore each room, open shelves, jump on all furniture and counters. Whoever coined the phrase "Curiosity killed the cat" must have known Charlie, or his close relative.

We offered food, which he refused. This confirmed my belief he was owned and getting meals elsewhere, so I relaxed a little. Even when he spent the night curled on our bed, and at one point under the covers.

The next day - no Charlie. We found ourselves looking for him. Opening the front door looking up and down the street. Neither of us wanted to admit we enjoyed our mystery cat. Our other three cats relaxed a little.

The following day Charlie came running to us as we returned from work. Full of stories he kept vocalizing as he curled around our legs. But something was wrong.

He kept cocking his head sideways. I have owned cats my entire 40 years and never seen this before. He also seemed tired and unsteady. When he vomited yellow liquid we bundled him up for his first Vet trip.

Of course the first thing they ask is how old he is. Ahhh ... well we were hoping you could tell us. This brought a blank stare from the Staff. We explained his history, and now Charlie had them by the heartstrings.

Several tests later he was diagnosed with a failing liver, because he wasn't eating. Our Vet Christine spent a good thirty minutes explaining when a cat stops eating they will break down quickly. We had options of course. Force feeding and medication, or putting him down.

We'd never faced anything like this before - my partner and I. One look at her eyes and I knew our answer. "We want this cat."

Christine nodded and scheduled Charlie for a neck tube operation. Since Charlie wasn't eating we would need to feed him.

For two months we fed him, by syringe, a mixture of special food, medication, and vitamins. These meals were small ones, given slowly, every few hours. Daily I also cleaned his neck wound (from the tube) and gave him IV fluids under the skin.

We literally set the clock to do feedings. And not all of them would stay down. He didn't care for the needle either. It took two of us to keep him occupied long enough to drip in 200 ML.

To pass the time I sang lullabies. I'm not musically talented, but the songs calmed me down, so I hoped he would relax as well. I think it worked...I certainly had a captive audience.

Gradually we saw improvement. He loved the backyard and would find a sunny spot to watch the bird feeder, hoping one bird would fall off for dinner.

We offered regular food, all kinds of moist and dry, at regular intervals. Charlie would sniff and walk away. Our Vet told us it was possible the tube was going to be permanent. Another Vet said to stop feeding him anything, which we disregarded immediately. But gradually we reduced his amount of food and hoped natural hunger would help.

At this point, Charlie wanted to go out the front door. We worried he would disappear and leave us behind, but we needed to face it. We could just be a stop along his way.

We let him out one morning and closed the door behind him. Watching through the glass, he looked back in disbelief. He was alone. Freedom!

At work all day we both wondered if Charlie would be there...waiting for us. The day dragged by until quitting time arrived.

No sign as we parked the car and walked up the front door path. But as we reached the door a striped cat appeared at our ankles...telling us about his exciting day.

We were joyous, then tearful, as Charlie rushed in and ate dry food. The next day we had his tube removed and we celebrated his return to full health by walking through the neighborhood, with Charlie at our heels.

Today, Charlie is a regular member of our household. We can't imagine our life before this character entered it...and took over. Our other cats accept him now, and bravely tried to accompany us on a walk. It didn't last beyond two houses. But Charlie, now well known by our neighbors, loves these walks, occasionally rolling in favorite spots along the way.

So if a cat wanders your way, and decides to stay, be thankful. It means he has chosen YOU.