Max was the first I adopted as an adult. I had not had a pet since 1992 (a dog named Cleo). We adopted Max as a kitten of only 6 weeks old. He was very spirited and full of energy, so we named him Max (from the movie Mad Max).



He was small enough to fit under our china cabinet, and would chase his imaginary friends around the house. Our house was the only house he had ever lived in. He was an indoor cat, and was happy.



We were able to leave him alone while we went on short trips. We left enough food and water for him, as well as keeping curtain open so he could peek out. After we came home, he would always be there to greet us. His typical greeting was to shake his head so the collar's bells/metal vaccination tags would jingle (it took energy, that he did not want to use, to meow a greeting to us).



He had a good life of more than 17 years with us. He began to show signs of a terminal illness in December 2020. He would not eat much and was losing weight. He was barely able to walk and mostly got up from his bed to drink water, have a couple of bites of food, or to use the litter box. 



His last day with us was on February 5, 2021. He walked out of his bed and laid down behind our dining room table. He started to meow in pain. We made the decision to take him to the animal hospital. We were hopeful that the doctor would give us medicine to ease his pain, but to no avail.



We made the sad, compassionate, and selfless decision to end his misery. Ghazala cried in the car after our mutual decision. I was very shaken up by the necessary decision. He was held in a towel by the staff and they stroked his head and chin in his final moments. He passed without pain and it was quickly over. 



He will be remembered forever. He was an important part of our lives. We will adopt a new cat in the future. The next cat will be an adult cat (my hope is for a tabby cat). The next cat will be a successor to Max, not a replacement. The name Max is now permanently retired for any pet names.



I write this memorial 4 months after his passing, because I needed time to heal his passing. Our next cat will have more photos, and especially videos of him/her.



I have learned a lot about myself with Max in our lives. I hope to learn more with Max's successor.



I read a poem (unknown author) about a rainbow bridge to heaven where pets await their masters after they all pass. I like to imagine that Max is at that rainbow bridge waiting for us: healthy, no pain, full of energy, plenty of clean food and water, and able to play with other cats and kittens. If this place exists, I know Max will be there waiting for us, and jump into our arms when we arrive.



I will see you on the other side, Max.