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For a little over four years, it was just Julian. He was my only cat, and as far as he was concerned, he should be my only cat. But in January 2007, I adopted Abbey from the SPCA. I figured Julian needed a playmate, someone to keep him company while I wasn't home.

Boy was I wrong.

He hissed, growled and spit at her, avoided her at all cost, and did nothing to welcome her into our home. After a while, a silent agreement was made; Abbey could do as she pleased, as long as it didn't bother Julian.

When I got Abbey, she was only 9 months old. Still a kitten, it was Julian and my responsiblity to teach her right from wrong. And I think even to this day (she's 3 now), she looks to him as sort of mentor. And, because of this, she continues to be nice to him, and tries to get him to like her.

She'll snuggle next to him while he's sleeping; she'll rub up next to him, she'll even try and play with him. Most of the time, her actions produce a hiss or snap. Other times, he just walks away. Unfazed by his actions, Abbey continues with her signs of affection.

Monday morning, like any other morning, I woke up and went downstairs to feed the cats and make coffee. When I turned from the counter, ready to place the bowls on the floor, I saw Abbey cleaning Julian. I have no idea how long this was going on, but I got the sense that once Julian realized I was watching, he walked away.

Read any cat book or expert online, and they will tell you a good sign that your cats get along, and accept each other, is when they clean each other. Abbey and Apple have been doing it for months; they clean each other, use the action as a sort of sign they want to play, or they do it just because. But I had NEVER seen Julian even allow one of the other cats to get that near to him.

But I guess if it was going to be one of them, it was going to be Abbey. Finally her perseverance as paid off.