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I'm the youngest of a middle-sized family, so all our family pets belonged to my parents or older siblings. When I came into my late teens and all our family pets had passed, I figured it was my turn to finally have my own pet.

I knew I was going to be moving into an apartment soon, so a cat is what I wanted (I do love dogs, but I've always been a cat-person). I knew I wanted to find a cat in need, to feel I helped improve their life.

I looked for weeks but did not have any "clicks", until finally a cat foster contacted me with a possible match. He was a 4-month-old Maine Coon-mix kitten found alone on the streets, much too close to death. His eyes were crusted shut, both ears were infected, he had fleas and an upper respiratory infection, and he was just in terrible condition. The woman who took him in saved him from being euthanized but couldn't keep him forever.

When I first met him, he was very shy and took a lot of encouraging to simply sniff my fingers. But, I wanted him when I saw how playful he was once he warmed up.

I took him home, named him Tank, and we became best friends in no time. He isn't a "hold me, love me" kind of cat, but he is always within a few feet of me. His personality has changed so much from when I first brought him home. He doesn't run and hide when I have visitors and now even bumps into legs for a quick pet from people other than me (he loves when I cuddle him, but not when others do). He talks more than any cat I have ever met! He is absolutely gorgeous and very fluffy.

I have had Tank for five years now and have since adopted an orange tabby to keep him company (Leo, who is the polar opposite; he loves attention and people). I love him so insanely much and I cannot be more thankful that I was given the chance to be "his person."

Story submitted by Brianna from San Tan Valley, Arizona.

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