Last picture I’ll ever be able to take of my sweet little Maxine, taken the day I started moving out to Pittsburgh. My parents had to put her to sleep today. I know I’ve lost kitties before, but she was MY baby. She was mine for almost 14 years, and in our family for 15. I don’t know how how to comprehend this…

She was the only cat we’ve ever had that chose to be with me, not my mom or dad. (Most have always chosen my mom as their master.) She had been there through pretty much every milestone in my life. Every heart break, she was there comforting me. Every time I was furious, I had her to calm me down. Every migraine, she was purring on my head both helping and making things worse at the same time. Every time I was fully engrossed in some work I needed to get done, she made sure I took a break to cuddle her. She was very bossy on this one. When she wanted cuddles she needed them NOW! 

In some ways, I feel more confident in my decision to leave her at home in Milwaukee with my parents. I was worried about her being able to make this long of a move, and I believe that if she went now staying at home, she probably wouldn’t have lasted this long out here. The vet agreed that this great of a move would be a lot of stress on her, and so the decision was made to leave her there. But in only two weeks, I’ll be in Milwaukee again. But this time unable to cuddle her. Part of me wishes I could have been there when they took her in. Part of me is glad I wasn’t there. 

I have no doubt that my parents made the right decision. She was borderline deaf for the last year and a half, had been on regular medication for her thyroid and heart for many years, and had chronic sinus infections. The older she got, the more I feared coming home one day and finding one of these things had taken her all alone. The sinus problems are the most likely culprit; my mom told me when she found her she was struggling to breath. But the important thing is, my mom found her STILL ALIVE. Maxine nuzzled her on the way to the vet, and finally took her last breath while with my parents, who loved her and helped me take care of her all these years, and even took full responsibility once I left. I’d much rather her depart like that than alone. But I wish I could have said good bye myself. 

My mom says the other cats are being oddly calm and quite. I’m sure they realized what happened. Maybe not fully, but I’m sure they saw she wasn’t well. My mom said they’d been being nicer to her the last few days. Not that they were always mean, but she was the “loner” cat, so they would pick on her from time to time. 

It’s not going to be the same this Christmas. But I guess this is part of life. I finally finished school and grew up, leaving my mom and dad’s house. I work full time and have my own insurance. I now live with a wonderful man who takes great care of me, and is bringing me home a quart of my favorite (brand specific) ice cream and pizza tonight, even though we had pizza last night, it’s still my favorite food and he knows I love it. It’s a shame, but unfortunately, I’ve now lost my first real pet. Sure we had her brother a few months first, but he took to my mom, Maxine took to me. I still remember the first day my aunt brought her to us too, and how silly it was seeing her and Sylvester react to each other after being apart for a couple months. I hope he’s okay without his sister… He’s still got Gabriel and Freya to keep him company though. 

Rest in peace, miss Maxine. I’m going to miss you even more than I already have the last couple months, but thanks for always being such a sweet, loving, and loyal companion.

August 21, 1996 - December 10, 2011