The Neko Files - A RAPS Journal and Scrapbook: Max*

Showing posts with label Max*. Show all posts

Thursday, February 17, 2022

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!)

Friday, August 19, 2011

Max

It's been about a year since Max came to the sanctuary... for the second time.

He originally came to RAPS when a woman phoned Carol at the No. 5 Rd. shelter and insisted RAPS take her cat. She was not particularly interested in the fact that the shelter was full to capacity or that there is a fee to surrender an animal. If RAPS wouldn't take him, she threatened, she would have to just let him go somewhere.

RAPS staff member Ann felt bad for Max and decided to take him home herself temporarily until space could be found for him. And so, after a brief sojurn at Ann's, Max came to live at the sanctuary for the first time.

After being diagnosed with bladder crystals, Max's treatment included many months in a cage with a special diet to help resolve the problem. He became increasingly depressed, and seemed inclined to just let himself waste away. Ann stepped in once again to take him home, this time with the idea that it would be a permanent arrangement.

All was well for 18 months or so between Max and resident household cats Stubbs and Muffin. And then Max started acting aggressive, going after the elderly Stubbs with a Jerry-like abandon. Concerned for Stubbs and worried that Max would start going for the big-talking but ultimately pretty defenseless Muffin, Ann had to face the hard decision and the heartache of bringing Max back to the sanctuary.

Remembering how miserable he'd been the first time, she worried about how he'd fare. True, he was a pretty grumpy boy for a while, but he settled in to the singlewide where Ann asked that he be placed and these days seems to be doing just fine. Phew!!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Let sleeping cats lie

photo by Brigid

Why let sleeping cats lie? Because, for some of them, if they wake up and catch you calling them cute as a little buttercup while they snoozed, furry belly exposed and paws in the air, you may be in trouble.
Trust me. I know.

With the warm weather comes an increased likelihood that cats at the sanctuary can be found sprawled in any manner of cute-as-a-buttercup (or sometimes just plain strange) poses as they rest to save up energy for more napping later.
Here's a sampling.