MAXX

He's a lush, plush, mellow boy who cannot get enough of those who love him--- and he was thrown away like an old shoe, left to freeze and starve in a cul-de-sac in the dead of winter in Nova Scotia.

Luckily some good people found Maxx and rescued him, and by a fortunate set of circumstances and relationships, he came to live with us in early December of 1999.

So traumatized was he by being discarded that he had worn down to a slip of a boy--- his rescuers described him to us as "a kitten" and it wasn't until we got him to our vet that we discovered he was actually three or four years old. He showed no interest in going out at first--- who could blame him?--- and I was just as happy to keep him safe inside with us. From the very start he was completely devoted to us--- we were amazed that he showed no fear of people after being so badly treated. He wanted two things: to curl up and sleep as close as possible to us, and to eat. And eat. And eat! We didn't begrudge him, the poor guy, and soon he was big and healthy, with the most fantastically thick luxurious coat. Clearly, he is close to pure Maine Coon--- and proved it right away by sitting down next to Kate on the couch and chirping up a storm.

He claimed my study as his personal space, though he occupies the whole house at will. Kate, at first stand-offish, succumbed to her affection for dark boys, and would sit for long stretches with him on the window seat or couch "talking" in Coon and napping when boredom overtook them. While she was with us, Maribeth didn't want anything to do with this (ugh) boy, and kept her distance, warning him away with hisses and growls. Maxx took it all in stride, probably figuring he'd survived much worse than my old girl!

In late December came the surprise I knew about (though Peter didn't) when we agreed to take Maxx: Reilly, the Jack Russell Terrier puppy. He was Peter's Christmas present from me, and I wondered how I was going to blend this rambunctious puppy with our three cats!

I needn't have worried! From the beginning (and probably because neither of the girls was really thrilled about either of the boys moving in) Maxx took to "the new guy" and vice-versa, and they became best chums. To our surprise and amusement, palling around together rubbed off on both of them: Reilly taught Maxx some dog, and Maxx taught Reilly some cat! Friends think its hilarious to see Reilly rub up against our legs in the manner of a cat, while Maxx tortures poor Katie by trying to sniff her bottom every time she walks by! We'd find them side by side at lunch time, Maxx drinking out of Reilly's bowl while Reilly munched his beef bits. And at night they curl up together and cuddle with us--- Reilly sometimes stretches out an "arm" and puts it around his buddy as he sighs and settles in for the night.

It's not unusual, in the morning, for Reilly to pin his chum down and give his ears and head a good cleaning before they go downstairs and out for a romp. Maxx has staggered around with a soaking wet head on more than one morning!

Maxx has been an absolute blessing to us--- providing companionship for Reilly and an inexhaustible supply of affection for both of us. He is so brave and so dear--- the people who threw him away will never know what a treasure they so carelessly and cruelly abandoned. How much poorer they are for that!