Cats ask plainly for what they want.
~Walter Savage Landor
No one knew where he came from. He just appeared in the hallway of a local rescue’s adoption center. Max was a striking gray tabby with a white vest and white paws, not feral but not exactly friendly either. He would most likely adopt out as a barn cat.
The group finally managed to snag him and put him on the schedule for a neuter. Since the spay-neuter veterinarian was out of town, he had to wait several weeks, allowing time to work on his social skills.
Max hated being caged. I visited him daily and explained that life would soon be better. He would have his surgery, try to be friendlier, and find a home of his very own — a nice, warm barn with lots of mice. The day of his neuter finally arrived. While in recovery, they realized that Max had somehow not been tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Normal procedure would be to test on intake. The results were discouraging: positive for FIV. As a small rescue group with limited cat isolation, euthanasia would be indicated. On the verge of tears, I realized that I had become attached to this cantankerous little cat. Adopting him seemed out of the question as I already had three cats and no place to isolate an infectious one. But if not me, who? It’s hard to find a home for a healthy cat, and almost impossible for a sick cat.
I decided to build a cat enclosure. It seemed like a crazy solution, and I didn’t really have the time to do it. He would be enclosed by himself and still have his underlying illness. When I suggested my idea, I expected my normally sane friends to discourage me and point out the obvious drawbacks. Instead, the group responded quickly with “We’ll help.” Planning to get this completed within the week, everybody pitched in to finish in only four days. I think they were afraid I would change my mind, and everyone wanted Max to have his chance. He moved into his new house — a 10x10 chain-link room with climbing perches, a large dog igloo, several cat cubbies, and lots of toys. I still felt bad because living alone in a cage was not my idea of a quality life.
Within a couple of weeks, I received a call from an acquaintance who urgently needed placement for Simon, an FIV-positive cat who was being displaced. It was the perfect solution. Simon and Max were instant friends, and they thrived in each other’s company. When the seasons changed, my friends and I winterized the enclosure, making the cats snug in their heated areas. Simon was a very affectionate cat and he and Max frequently groomed each other. Simon loved to be petted and was quick to curl up in my lap when I sat in the chair visiting them. As Max watched intently, his bad habits diminished. He no longer bit or swatted at people. Simon succumbed to his disease after several years, but Max was still going strong. By then, Max was a lovable, friendly cat. Simon had imparted his social skills to Max.
I was now down to two other house cats, both extremely old. The veterinarian felt that exposure to Max would not be a serious threat to such old cats. Thus, the now affable Max moved into my house. He quickly settled in and enjoyed the company of the other cats and even the dogs. He spends most days in the sunroom these days, but he also enjoys roaming my fenced yard and checking out his old digs in the cat enclosure.
Max has shared my life for eight years. With any injury or illness, increased immune-system support is required. Overall, though, he’s been fairly healthy. He demands to be petted every day, and he’s not above an occasional light nip if I seem to be ignoring him. He rarely meows, but instead gives me a determined stare if he needs something. Food bowl empty? Stare at bowl. Stare at Mom. Stare at bowl. Stare at Mom. His determined stare can even penetrate my sleep.
I wonder about the quirks of fate that brought this special animal into my life and allowed me to help two cats in the process. I wasn’t looking to adopt a cat, especially not a sick one. If the blood test had been done in a timely manner, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get to know him. If I hadn’t built the enclosure for Max, Simon wouldn’t have had a place to go. If Simon hadn’t come, I doubt Max would have ever been a friendly cat. It’s amazing how things work together in challenging circumstances and create a terrific outcome!
~Carmen Marlin
