Max the Fourth

Max (KN)

Over many years of Sanctuary life, we inevitably get some name duplications. For some years we had Max (I) in the Single-Wide – a grumpy boy who didn’t much like other cats, and destroyed his chances of fosterage by persecuting the resident felines. Max (II) was a shy blond FIV+ cat who lived in the New Aids area, and never had a blog to himself, though he appeared as a guest in a couple of other cats’ blogs. I have a memory of another leggy grey Max (III) with a whisky baritone voice, in the Val Jones area. Slightly out of the line of succession was Mad-Max, who by the time I knew him had mellowed out considerably from the wild kitten he was when he came in.

Max II (MD) - MadMax (KN)

Our fifth Max (but fourth in line) came to RAPS as a stray some years ago, and was adopted out.  Sadly, his owner subsequently had to go into care, and Max was returned to us.  This time, adopting him out was not so easy – poor Max has various physical problems including arthritis, osteoporosis and kidney difficulties that require careful oversight and medication when needed.  Max seems to be a grumpy old man, but in fact he’s only about nine years old, and I’m sure it’s his pain that makes him come over that way. 

Max - (KN)

Most of the grumpiness is actually with other cats. In the normal way, Max keeps himself to himself,  finding a comfy bed for himself either in the Laundry Room or the Tea Room. There are plenty of places where he can access a space without having to jump; ramps and steps are available in various areas so that less mobile cats like Max and Tugboat can get themselves to a favoured corner.  

stairs help to access his chair - (KN)

Neither cat is capable of jumping on a lap, but both have real talent in asking to be lifted so they can have a snuggle. If he’s not in much pain, Max likes certain people a lot; this evening he followed me all over the back pens as I did the evening scooping, and asked for petting before leaving each hut. Sadly for him, he wasn’t the only one following me around, and did a fair bit of swatting other cats that were getting a little too close to his don’t-touch-me zone.

Enjoying the sunshine - (KN)

When the weather is fine, Max can be found outside soaking in the sunshine;  he will bask in the warmth, which probably feels very good to his aching bones, and wait until the humans have a break and he can find a lap to enjoy a bit of fussing. Like the rest of us, Max has had enough of winter, and can’t wait for days in the sun. 

Blog by Brigid Coult 

Photos by Melanie Draper (Max II) & Karen Nicholson (the rest!)

The Sound of Mew-sic

Visitors to the Sanctuary are often surprised by how quiet the place is. Other than the occasional plane passing over, and some distant traffic noise, all is very peaceful. Unlike dogs, who are often very vocal, most cat communication lies in body language – both posture and touch.  There are, of course, sounds we would prefer not to hear – the hiccupping noise of an incipient hairball, the occasional spat as Treacle warns someone out of her space, the muttering of grey Leland telling us he’s in one of his bad moods. 

 

There are one or two particularly noisy cats, chief among which has to be Booster, who perches in the corner of a cage and yells until someone comes to pay attention to her.

 

Josie waits impatiently for Doug (or any other Josie-fan) to come and pat her bum – whereupon she trills her little Josie-song.

Other cats are noted for more subdued vocals.

Bubba, in Old Aids, talks to his favourite people until he is hugged, as he wishes.

 

Lucky is pretty quiet for a Bengal – but when he raises his voice, you hear it!

 

Cisco (on right, with Yoda & Fred) is vocal in his impatience in the tea-room as he waits for someone to pour coffee, and give him a little taste of cream.

 

Max, in the Val Jones, talks in a whiskey baritone.

On Sundays the vocals are dialed up as afternoon visitors arrive, and cats swarm the gate, saying “Feed me!  I’m starved!”  Wayne appears with his chicken offering, and the clamouring gets desperate. The same phenomenon occurs every evening as the feeds begin – there is always a chorus of already-well-fed but hungry cats.

Back courtyard Owl is particularly vocal when chicken is about,

though in this case it was a small moth he was after!

Pictures of cats with open mouths got me thinking about what they might be singing

O Solo Meow - Dodger

 

Purrrfidia - Esme

The (would-be) lion sleeps tonight - Achilles

 

Stray Cat Strut - Birdie

 

My purr will go on – Little Orange (PH)

 

(Everything I mew) I mew it for you - Skye

 

You got a fur-iend  - Skouch

 

Good vibrations - Arnie

 

 

What does YOUR cat sing?

 

Blog by Brigid Coult
Photos by (mostly) Michele Wright
with Brigid Coult & Phaedra Hardman