Farewell, Max

Farewell, Max

boo boo


Unfortunately, I've got a bit of sad news to share with you today. The day before Thanksgiving, we had to have one of our cats, Max, put down :( I've been quiet around here about it for the past week... mostly because I wanted give him the sendoff he deserves... complete with life info, pictures, and my best memories of him. So here goes...


The very first time I met Max (or Boo Boo, as we often called him), he was in a cage at a shelter.

All the other cats were asleep, or not paying attention. However, he was front and center in his cage, meowing and making eye contact at every single person that walked by. There was no way I could ignore him, so I unlatched his door. He immediately set his front paws on my shoulders, and started purring and head-butting me. I'd never owned a cat before, but I knew instantly that this was the guy I wanted.

He turned out to be an inquisitive, and very verbal kitty. Stubborn and salty... but with a big personality, and a lot of love to spare.

He had the kind of voice that sounded like he was out 'till four in the morning at a blues club, chain-smoking cigarettes, and drowning in a bottle of whiskey. He was hard of hearing, so when he meowed (which was often), it was LOUD. His purr was huge... like a pack of pigeons cooing. Looks-wise, he was a handsome fella, if not a little rugged. He had scarring on his ears from chronic battles with ear mites (previous owners) that made him look a bit like a Scottish Fold. Also he would never fail to make direct, unwavering eye contact when "talking" with you.

Many visitors who had met him over the years said that he seemed almost "human" because of these traits. Or at the very least, people would often comment that he was one of the most unique cats they'd ever come across.


Despite being very outgoing, he was ironically a bit camera shy... my other cats seem to revel in the camera, but pictures of him in the archives were hard to come by. In many shots, I found him happily hanging out in the background...

roxy max


Watching him decline over past few months was slow and sad... but nothing fully sunk in until the morning before Thanksgiving. We woke up and discovered he could no longer walk. Not only did he have no energy left, but his will had also left him. His headstrong demeanor and colorful personality were all but gone. He'd lost the use of his legs. He knew it was over. To me, this was the most heartbreaking thing of all.

We made an emergency appointment with the vet, and beyond expensive procedures that could buy him maybe another three months, there was nothing we could do. It was time to let him go.

boo boo


Max wasn't just a pet, he was a member of the family. He was my very first cat, and my only friend when I first moved to Brooklyn. Feeling the life force drain out of him, as the vet was putting him to sleep was one of the hardest things I've ever had to experience.

He was really the best.


So without further ado: Favorite things/ memories about Max

- When I was sad and crying, he would sit on my chest and lick my tears away.
- He was the alpha up until the day he died.
- His monsterous meow, and even bigger purr.
- He was always happy every time he saw me.
- Matt and I used to have this fantasy/ running joke that we would dress him up in a top hat/ monacle, and videotape him narrating (i.e. meowing to) a masterpiece theater-type show. We never got to do that. Wish we had.
- The time we had a house show, with big amps and speakers. My friend Alyson was performing. He just waltzed onto the "stage" area in the middle of her playing a song, plopped down in front of her, and fell asleep.
- The first time we brought him home- he meowed (loudly) all the way.
- He loved to meet people (but not so much other cats.)

boo boo maxy cat leg


Love you, baby boy. <3<3



Chantilly

Follow on Bloglovin
SHARE:

16 comments

  1. I can't even imagine what you're going through. I'm looking at Dixie right now and I treasure every second with her. :( hope you're ok.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm sorry for your loss. What a sweet note this is though.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So sorry for your loss. Growing up my best friends (sisters) had a cat that looked just like that but fatter, meowed like that and her name was boo boo!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aw I'm so sorry *hugs* :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous12/06/2013

    I'm so sorry. That is such a hard decision to make. I had to do it when my old guy was enduring kidney failure. So sad for you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a cutie. I'm sorry for your loss. I can hardly imagine what it must be like to watch your first cat be put to sleep.. I hope you can give Max a place in your heart. Cherish those memories! <3

    ReplyDelete
  7. *hugs* I know how you feel, I hope you can remember the good times and smile soon
    xox

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry for your loss. :(

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aw I'm so sorry Chantilly, he looks like he was an awesome cat! We lost our cat Xena this year too, never an easy thing to deal with. Sending some hugs your way!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Aww I'm sorry, Chantilly. I have had so many cats in my life and it was always painful every time we lost one so I know your pain.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unfortunately I know your pain all too well. We had to put my angel down in late September. :(

    She was my first cat and I'd had her since I was 4 years old. She sounds a lot like your kitty. She was friendly and loved to be around me. She hung on until the last possible moment. Even fighting to get out of my arms when I held her a few minutes too long in the vet's office. Unfortunately we'd just run out of time. :'( I still miss her sleeping in my bed at night.

    I'll be praying for you.

    ~ Katie formerly of Beautifully Pure

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my goodness girl, I am so so sorry. As a pet lover and companion, I know how much these awesome animals are best friends, family, and even emotional support at times. He sounded amazing, and looks great in pearls. :) A toast to little Max tonight.
    Trish

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh geez, I'm sorry to hear about Max. My condolences. Losing a pet is really the worst :( Thinking lots of good thoughts for you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you everyone, so much for your comments. It really means a lot. xxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so, so sorry about Max. Our pets really are our family members and it sounds like he was there for you in some challenging times. xo

    ReplyDelete

thank you for taking the time to leave a comment :) i appreciate your thoughts.

Blogger Template Created by pipdig