Rescue Stories: Max - He Healed Two Broken Hearts | Lola The Rescued Cat
Thursday, August 4, 2016

Rescue Stories: Max - He Healed Two Broken Hearts

Hello and Happy Thursday Purrsday! I’m really purring today because we have a great story for you as part of our Rescue Stories Series.  Today I present you with Max! We met Max on Instagram (@mrpawesome) and fell in love with him.  He’s also from New York, and... he was in the same shelter as me (NYACC)!  What a small kitty world! Max had a rough start, but he’s definitely living the good life now.  Read on to see how he mended two broken hearts…
Lola

On February 27, 2013, our world came crashing down.  I was getting ready for work when our three-and-a-half-year-old cat, Theo, suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing. Tragically, he passed away.  Theo was the love of our lives, and had been with us for exactly two-and-half years, to the day.  We were beyond crushed.  The experience of losing him - and the trauma of trying to get him help that rainy morning - was soul-crushing.

We knew we'd adopt again, but wanted to wait awhile.  I found solace chatting every night with others who'd recently lost pets at aplb.org (Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement). Slowly, I began to heal from the trauma.

About three weeks after Theo's passing, I felt compelled to look at online adoptable listings. I was feeling brave, a bit stronger, and thought I'd try looking at cats without getting too upset.  I browsed through the listings, and then stopped when I saw an ad for a seven-month-old smokey tabby tuxedo kitty named Max.  His mischievous expression and unusual markings drew me in.  I felt my heart race a little, the same way I'd felt when I first saw Theo's photo.

mr pawesome|cat rescue stories

Max's Adoption Ad.  The caption read: "Meet Max! He is an adorable and very confident five month-old kitten who loves playing with his siblings, Mira and Jackey (also available for adoption) Like his siblings, Max is very comfortable around cats, kittens and dogs. He has a very unique marble coloring of black with subtle smoke/white stripes.

I cautiously showed my husband Max's photo.  "Isn't he cute?"  But it was way too soon; we were still recovering from losing Theo!  We felt torn.  Here was a little guy in need of a home.  Maybe Theo had sent him to us?  After much discussion, my husband agreed to go on a "cat interview" and see if Max wanted to come home with us.

A week later, Max joined our family. Max (we kept his name) has been an absolute joy.  He's crazy and cuddly and playful and all around delightful.


mr pawesome|cat rescue stories
Max's classic "I want attention" pose!  He loves being on his back!

We've had a couple health scares with Max.  Shortly after he came home, I noticed something akin to mold on his paw. Then, he started having scary asthma-like coughs, and finally, raised bumps on his hind leg.  


mr pawesome|cat rescue stories
Martini Max, recovering from another medical procedure

Many weeks of testing, medications, and paw soaks followed.  Eventually, Max's new feline dermatologist (yes, it's a thing) diagnosed him with eosiniphilic granuloma complex.  The words make it seem very scary, but basically, Max has bad environmental allergies.  He's officially allergic to most trees, molds, and even feathers, but thankfully, not humans, dogs, or other cats!  We've been able to control his coughing and lessen the leg inflammation by a special grain-free, unique protein diet, frequent cleaning, and air filters.


mr pawesome|cat rescue stories
​Max's human contacted Animal Care and Control and was able to get a copy of Max's original intake photo.  He was found with two siblings at about three weeks of age.

We're thankful for every day we have with Max.  Hopefully in the next few years, we'll be able to adopt a friend for him. He's helped heal our hearts and made our house into a home again.


mr pawesome|cat rescue stories
Max living the good life! 


Max lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his two humans.  You can find him on Instagram at @mrpawesome and on Facebook (MrPawesome.) Many thanks to Max's human for the photos. 

Would you like to comment?

  1. What a cool adoption story! Max was obviously meant to find a home with these humans. I'm glad his allergies are under control.

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  2. Lovely rescue story! Max is so cute and I'm so glad he and his humans found each other :)

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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  3. I really enjoyed reading Max's story. I've know him for some time now on IG, but never knew his rescue story. He is just a cutie, always so cheerful and fun. I also didn't know how bad his allergies are but am glad to read they're mainly under control. Thanks, Lola, for featuring Max!

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  4. OH he's a real gem. What a great story!!!

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  5. dood....ewe iz one handsum cat....waves two ewe .....we N joyed reedin yur storee N we iz buzzed happee ya finded yur for everz with yur mom & dad ~~~~~ we hope ewe can out grow thoz al ur geez....sum timez that happenz N how awesum wood THAT bee ! ☺☺☺♥♥♥

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  6. Max is adorable. I am glad he has a wonderful family that can help him with his allergies.

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  7. We enjoyed reading Max's story ! We're glad he found a wonderful forever home ! Purrs

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  8. Max sure is a handsome guy! We're glad he found such a great home. Ernie has allergies like that too.

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  9. Max sure is a handsome cat! I am glad that the feline dermatologist (never knew they existed!) was able to help him get the relief he deserves. I can't but think that Theo sent Max to help their family heal.

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  10. Oh my goodness, his intake photo compared to now - wouldn't even think it's the same cat. Max has truly blossomed in his loving forever home. Go Max!

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  11. That's such an amazing gotcha story! Max and his humans all found their happily ever afters, for sure. :)

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  12. Max is the cutest guy and he can play sea otter too!

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  13. I love that belly shot! How beautiful that Max helped heal their hearts after losing Theo so suddenly. I feel that way about Ruby. She definitely helped me heal after losing Pip.

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  14. So many cats, dogs and humans with allergies due to all the toxins in our world that we use regularly without a thought. From cleansers we use, scented kitty litter, pesticides on our foods and hormones in our meats, etc. if there were no pesticides on our grains we very possibly wouldn't be so affected by them. Pet foods included. And unfortunately, the pet food industry uses the leftovers and by-products of foods they don't put in human food. So now my cat and dog are hooked on the cheap foods (even Iams is bad and not that cheap) and when I try to feed them a healthier diet they don't like it. Just like a kid choosing fast food over healthy food. It's a good thing you are starting Max out young on better quality foods. But be careful of other products you use around him also. Tuxies are my favorite breed of cat - so playful, loving and mischievious! But no matter what trouble they cause you love them all the more because they love you back so openly and freely. I miss my past tuxedo cats the most of any that I have had the pleasure of living with. I'm so happy that Max is so doted upon and loved!

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  15. We follow Max, too and Z-girl met Max's human mama last summer at an Instagram meetup. She is a wonderful person and we knew that he was an irresistible rescue, but we DIDN'T realize that Max also has EGC, like me--Valentina! Wow, Max! We are both adorable tuxedos who use our flippy paw poses to get attention AND we have dermatologists! What a pawsome story! So glad you were featured here, Max!! Love, Vali and all the Squeedunk Cats (Coco, Manhattan, Bessie and Lulu)

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