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One July, my husband and I were in our backyard doing some work when this tabby showed up on our back deck, all skin and bones. I felt horrible and knew I needed to do something. 

Since my husband and I had never had a pet before, we didn't have any actual cat food. So, I decided to at least get him some milk and water. At first, he wouldn't drink if I was near the bowls and didn't want to come around at all if it was just my husband, but as time went on, he slowly warmed up to us.

As we made our way through July and into August, we had developed a routine of going out in the morning and at night to feed and pet him. In the middle of August, we had a couple of really hot days where the heat index was above 100. One of those days, my husband was home and went out to feed Toby. (By this time, I had finally decided to name him.)

Toby was still so weak that he was stumbling around because of the heat, so my husband managed to bring him inside and take him downstairs where it was nice and cool. It was at this point that we started talking more about what to do when it got cooler and turned into winter.

That discussion didn't last long. A few weeks later (the beginning of September), we had a litter box/litter, food, bowls, and toys. We got him checked out at our local vet to make sure he was okay, and we brought him into our home and lives.

Now a little over a year later, he is a happy and healthy kitty who loves being by our side. He loves to spend hours on end cuddled up in our laps sleeping, running from window to window looking out over his yard, or just playing with us and his toys.

I love coming home from work to him (and my husband), and I am so glad that he chose us.