10/16/17 OT: Remembering Max One Year Yesterday

Hi Friends,


I never was able to compose myself enough to do a tribute to my gentle giant Max, so I'm going to try now with tears rolling down my cheeks. . I can't believe it's been a year since I set him free. I brought him home with his stepsister, Tiffany, a tortie, about 20 years ago. He was a 2 1/2 pound ball of fluff and one of the most handsome cats I've ever seen. The next night we were at the ER with what turned out to be a vaccine reaction. A few weeks later I noticed fur missing from his nose which turned out to be ringworm. I had to put ointment on his nose and keep him away from my face but he didn't mind a bit. Never a hiss or a complaint. He grew to be a beautiful well tempered cat and all was fine until he had a urinary blockage when he was about 4 1/2 years old. That was the first time I almost lost him. After a touch and go night at the ER and a week recovering from surgery due to a vet piercing his bladder, I was told he was out of the woods and I brought him home. My vet commented about how good he was. Maybe being in the cage so long was why when he was diagnosed with diabetes another vet at the practice labeled him aggressive. He had cage fever my vet said. I changed his food and all was good until they were almost 10 and Tiffany was diagnosed with early CKD and then lymphoma. The only times I ever heard him growl or hiss was when I would bring her back from the hospital when she had to stay overnight.

When she left us way too early (two years later) Max seemed depressed. There was nobody to chase or play with while I was at work. He stopped playing with his favorite toys, plastic straws and glitter balls. He was such a sensitive boy. After a few months he stopped eating and was diagnose with chronic pancreatitis. He started sleeping at the foot of my bed but not before he would lay on my chest with his face on mine purring loudly for about 10 minutes. Tiffany was a tortie with a huge personality and we both missed her terribly. I thought about getting him a companion but Max seemed to enjoy being my one and only and I feared it would make the chronic pancreatitis worse since it seemed to be stress related.

I was so upset when the years of chronic pancreatitis made him diabetic but he was such a good boy we got into the routine easily. He loved his freeze dried chicken and turkey treats. When I had to add fluids when he developed CKD he adapted to that as well. He was such a good boy with all the test and meds. If it bothered him he never let on. I had to juggle being with my mom who was in out of the hospital with heart disease and urinary infections.. It was hard but I would do anything to do it all over again. When Max was diagnosed with heart disease I remember telling a friend that I wondered why I had to learn about every cat illness that exists. Sadly I didn't need to learn about heart disease after all. How ironic that he passed from the same disease as my mom who left exactly a month later. I promised Max I would never let him suffer and I kept my word. A kind vet had told me that Tiffany would need me to know when it was her time as she was so connected to me. It turned out to be the same for my beloved Mr. Unpredictable. How lucky I've been to have two heart kitties. Max taught me so much and I try to pass it on in tribute to my beautiful wonderful boy. I miss him so much.

On a lighter note, I think Max and Tiffany sent me Chai and Mocha. Chai is a pistol, even more than Tiffany and Mocha is sweet and easy going like Max. I probably should have changed their names to Sugar and Spice. Thanks for sharing some of my memories.

 

A lovely tribute, Elise, to a wonderful big ball of fluff.

 

I didn't know Max, but he sounds just like my Gizmo. So understanding of anything I need to do to him. Such a wonderful tribute to a handsome boy!

 

What a fitting tribute Elise!

 

What a beautiful tribute to your special boy. Sending prayers as you remember Max.

 

A beautiful tribute to a very handsome boy.
Thinking of you as you remember your special Max

 

(((Elise))) a beautiful tribute for sweet, handsome Mr. Max man. I love every picture and he is a huge loss to the L&L family. Remembering them is sweet and difficult at times so lots of for you. Sounds like the dynamic duo are keeping you on your toes.

 

What a nice tribute for Max, thanks for sharing your memories.

 

What a beautiful tribute to a very special boy

 

Max was a gorgeous cat! Wonderful tribune!

 

((((((Elise)))))) I'm crying right along with you.... My heart goes out to you, especially after reading your beautiful and heartfelt tribute to our favorite Mr. Unpredictible! I thank you so much for all you taught us here on the forum and thank ytou for sharing Max and Tiffany's story-your memories are so precious! Love and scritches to Chai and Mocha, and I can just imagine our mom's and our kitties smiling down from the Rainbow Bridge, this is how I like to remember them all. Love, Ruth

 

Beautiful!

 

Beautiful tribute to your handsome boy. May you continue to take comfort in all the loving memories of sweet Max!

 

Lovely bittersweet tribute.

 

(((Elise))), thank you for this loving remembrance of your beautiful kitties. Max and Tiffany are smiling from the bridge.

 

(((Elise))) what a beautiful tribute to your handsome guy. I miss him too. Max was truly a special kitty.

 

Beautiful tribute to a very special guy, our Max

I'm glad you have Chai and Mocha now to help heal your heart and bring a smile to your face.

 

Beautiful tribute for your beautiful boy.

 

So special. Thank you for sharing.

 

Wonderful tribute for your Max.

 

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

 

What beautiful words for such a special kitty.

 

What a wonderful tribute! Hugs to all there.

 

(((((Elise)))))
He was a very special guy..... They both were. It really is like losing a child..... We spend so much time with them, more than we do with our human children.
They become our whole world.

I love the pic of him spread out on the bed. Mine did that too ....
It's their domain and they know it.

 

(((Elise))) Such a wonderful and loving tribute, for a very special kitty. Thank you for sharing your memories of Max, and Tiffany, too. I think they are smiling from the Bridge on you and Chai and Mocha!

 

Such a gorgeous boy, and your tribute does him justice, thanks for sharing. I'm glad that Max and Tiffany sent you Chai and Mocha, I have no doubt they had a paw in it.
I can't believe it's been a year....
Sending prayers, I know how difficult these first anniversaries can be.

 

(((Elise))) thinking of you as you remember your sweet boy Max on his first anniversary, so many wonderful memories of a splendid cat. Prayers for peace and comfort for your mum's upcoming anniversary too.

 

(((Elise))) - I loved reading about your Max, and I am thinking of you this week.

 

Thanks everyone for stopping by to help me celebrate Max.

 

So special, thank you for sharing your love and caring for Max. He will never be apart from your heart. Blessings, Kathe

 

A beautiful journey shared.....I miss him too

 

{{{Elise}}}

Sorry I missed this when you posted it. I can't believe it's been a year since Max crossed. But then, I can't believe it's been over a year since Harvey crossed, either. How black those first days seemed, without our special boys, and then you lost your mom, too. One person shouldn't have to experience that much pain in such a short time.

I am so glad I got to meet Max, although he was unimpressed with me. His photos don't do justice to what a handsome fellow he was. I wish I had gotten to meet Tiffany, too.

I totally agree that Max and Tiff had a paw in selecting Chai and Mocha for you. They wanted you to be challenged and charmed again, as you were with them, and knew you have so much love to give that it shouldn't go to waste when there are so many kitties out there that need it. They were secure in their places in your heart and knew you had room there for more. May Chai and Mocha bring you joy and laughter for many, many years.

 

(((Elise)))

I’m also sorry I missed this when you posted it. Max was certainly one of the most handsome cats. Thank you for sharing his and Tiffany’s story and also for allowing us all to go along on his journey with the two of you. He was one special guy and you were always so extremely devoted to him. I know how very much you love and miss him and Tiffany.

Much love, my friend. I am thinking about you as you also near the one year mark of losing your mom. You were such a devoted daughter to her.

 

What a darling of a cat. Beautiful memoir of him.

 

((((Elise))))
That is such a beautiful tribute to an amazing fur baby...I wanted to add that Max’s journey taught Gussie and I so much, I believe you and Max were among our guiding angels..I am forever grateful..
I agree, I too truly believe that our GA loved ones make sure we connect with those they have chosen to help weave that heart shaped patch over the hole in our hearts...
Sending huge hugs...and sharing tears too...