However despite my life challenges, I feel much comfort from my little support buddy Max as he snuggles in with me tonight.
Max has been a real trooper, a great companion in my life... and it all started back in 2009.
In June 2009 I was diagnosed with cancer.. Chemotherapy was a real challenge physically and emotionally. After completing 3 cycles I was essentially the walking dead, and the oncologist was talking of a 4th cycle of treatment. At this time I had decided I was not doing any more treatment. I had emotionally given up.
But I received the best news that the cancer was retreating, the chemotherapy was working and eventually I had been given the all clear, and was returning back to a somewhat of a normal life.
I had been working as a travel agent for House of Travel Browns Bay, who were amazing and supportive during my treatment. My colleague, Kelda, was helping a client who was relocating back home to South Africa to live, and she was due to depart within 3 days, and was still trying to find a home for her cat, Max.
Kelda being the super awesome person she is, was helping her client to rehome Max. Kelda told me the story and I wasn't too interested in having a pet until she told me his name Max.
Max was my late father's name.
I saw this as a sign.
Max needed a home.
I've just survived cancer, and at one point I was giving up on life.
Together we needed each other to continue a new journey, together.
I don't think Gary was too keen, but in time we have won him over.
Max was born 25th October 2008. On his birth certificate he was listed as a Maincoone, but I don't think he is, perhaps mixed breed. Although Max does have some similar characteristics and is a big boy.
What makes Max... Max:
Max loves water and the rain. When he was younger he would always go out in the rain and come back covered in mud. I was constantly having to bath him. After a bath and he was dry he would always run around the house like a nut case. Thankfully in his older years he now prefers to stay indoors, where he is dry.
He is a playful boy, and loves a game of hide and seek.
Max loves a good brush. He understands the word "Brush". I think it is because if we brush him he doesn't have to groom himself... Max is lazy at times.
Max will drink water from anywhere but his water bowl. If he is sitting in the bath, tapping the side of the bathtub with his paw, he wants you to turn on the tap.
Max understands very clearly the word "No" but that wont stop him and he will push you to your limits!
When Max's food bowl is empty he will use his paw to lift it up and then drop it on the floor, making a noise. He will do this repeatedly until you put more food into his bowl.
On the matter of food, when you are eating he will insist that you share your food with him. So you relent and give him some. Possibly 90% of the time he will sniff the food and then walk away without taking a bite. He is such a drama queen!
Max is a silent communicator. He doesn't normally meow, but when he does meow, although it is not a normal typical cats meow, then there is something wrong. He demands your full attention.
When approaching Max, slowly blink both eyes at him and he will blink back at you. You can do this repeatedly, it's Max's way of greeting you. Hi!
Max is a smoochy boy, and it probably doesn't help with me trying to teach him the Barney I Love You song.
Max doesn't like loud noises, including kids and metal clanging togther like pots and pans or rattling cutlery.
I think Max understands the word "Dog" which means he has to stay indoors for his safety.
Max is a social cat with other cats. When we used to live in Ranui West Auckland we had a big deck. Once when I came home from work, there was at least a dozen cats sun bathing on the deck. I don't know what was going on... but he generally wants to play with other cats than fight.
I've practiced the drop dead test. You drop dead.. faking it of course, fall to the floor, and Max will come and lick my face to resuscitate me.
Max is a licker. When snuggling he will lick you. When play biting he will bite and then lick you after, as if he is saying... "I got you, but it's alright I still love you".
As Max has become older he has become more of in indoor cat. We have his litterbox setup in the toilet. Sharing the toilet space has lead to a couple awkward encounters. Max looks at you from his litterbox as if to say "excuse me, I was in here first".
Max snores... very cute small snore. He also has kitty nightmares.
Max tends to sleep by my feet, but if they aren't in the right position he will bite them through the blanket so you move.
Max fully understands what the cat cage means. He is going to the vet. Getting him into the cage is a battle and involves some trickery. However when you are at the vet's and when it is time to come home, he will get back into the cage all by himself, shut the door and says "take me home now and let's not speak of this again".
Max is just amazing. He is a real character, and a great superhero to me. He is always there loving and supporting me no matter what challenges I am facing in my life.
Finally I am feeling tired, so I'll sign off now, give Max a big hug and try to sleep. Good night.
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