Chantilly Songs

Hope everyone is having a nice week so far.

In case you were wondering, the kitty in the first picture's name is Thelonious, and she is in our shoes. That's right- she literally likes to lay on top of our smelly shoes, or squeeze herself in between their empty spaces. She's been especially interested since we set up the new rack. It looks so uncomfortable, but it makes her happy. :) Haha. Also, my camp friend Lynnette sent me that Cat vs. Human book! Miss her.

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These last few days have been storm weather- especially Wednesday. So I've spent a lot of time cozied up with a cup of tea or coffee, listening to the rain fall outside my window.

Sometimes I like rainy days. They can be gloomy and moody, but they can also be soothing. They can remind you to relax.

So happy Friday. If applicable, remember to take a break. Do something you enjoy.... Is it ice cream trip? A new shirt? A moment's peace? :)

Also, remember to laugh. At yourself, preferably.

chantilly

:: FOLLOW ::

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

Love you, baby boy. <3<3

Chantilly

Kitty loves

Rainy and Cozy

Farewell, Max

Cat in a box!