Happy June, Max mavens.
In ancient Rome, it apparently wasn’t uncommon for folks to have names like Maximus Meridius or Petronius Maximus. That’s all well and good. But Max would like for it to be known that his name is Maximus Maximus. He is, after all, the maximal Max in the history of Maxes…or living beings of any kind.
And pity the person who disagrees.
Actually, we people have learned not to disagree with Max unless it’s absolutely necessary (e.g. for his own health, for the fate of the earth, etc.). His fellow felines, however, have the audacity to try and maximize their own goals. That doesn’t always go over well with Max.
Case in point: Max’s timid, tender-hearted roommates.
Emilia, Lizzie and Kylie have made marvelous roomies for our bold boy up to this point. They have the same taste in music, they like his posters, and, most importantly, they don’t come out from under the couch, ever – which means Max can go on pretending he is, in fact, the only cat who has ever lived. (Well, then there’s those pesky Lobby cats he watches through his window – but Max has decided that’s just TV, and they aren’t real.)
Our volunteers have been painstaking in working with the shy girls, and this month their patience began to pay off.
Kind of.
Kylie, Emilia and Lizzie are now actually emerging from their sub-couch realm to seek human affection. Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles: this is colossal courage on their part, and a serious step towards being adopted.
It’s also put them on Max’s radar. Note to all cats: Max’s radar is not a place you want to be.
A recent visit with a human friend brought out the possessive side of Maximus Maximus. No sooner had the girls nosed out of their hidey-holes to get some love, then Tyrannosaurus Max raged into action, chasing all three cats deep into the cat tree and out of the reach of human attention.
Finally satisfied, he returned to his regal perch, where, as Tabby’s Place staffer Karin aptly put it, “he could look down on everyone else properly.”
Ah, Max. If you weren’t so magnificent, these episodes might not be so funny. Fortunately, Max has also maximized his spell over us humans, so we’re helpless to do anything but adore him. (And, in all seriousness, don’t worry about Kylie, Lizzie and Emilia; they are doing just fine. :-))
There’s one last thing Max has maximized this month: his, um, regal heft.
Suffice to say that Max’s weight gain has allowed us to comfortably discontinue his monthly weight checks. A low weight is not something we need to fear for our boy. He’s clearly settled back into his groove at Tabby’s Place…and he’s happy to throw his impressive weight around any time.
Dear sponsors, thank you for loving every inch of our quirky, kooky boy. Your kindness maximizes his health and joy at Tabby’s Place, and he is blessed to have you in his life. Have a beautiful start to summer!