max memorial

Memorial for Max, (the kitten)

Death is difficult, for me, sudden death is very hard, and death in a young life is extremely hurtful for me; as I write this memorial for Max, the kitten. Max, really was a cat, a young cat, whose life was swept away due to a fast moving car.........Max, died, on Monday, 1/7/08.

This has been a struggle for me to write this, but I will try, to help put Max's soul at rest.

Max, was feline a domestic shorthaired, male with gray tabby patches on white; who's birthday would have been 3/21/08, being just two years old. Max's story, where he was dumped in the trash as a young kitten and then stabbed in the shoulder, is noted on the side of this page. Max, survived the rough streets of Philly.....and was rescued by some loving cat people.

Max, was adopted at 6 months of age to the Gress's from The Cat Shack. Max, was provided each day of his life, with the free run of The Gress Mountain Ranch's home, fresh water, wholesome food, clean litter boxes, wonderful people and animal company, and ever flowing river of people from all walks of life, meeting, and greeting Max. Max, had good quality of life, well taken care and loved by many people, especially, K& B Gress.

Max, proved over and over to positively interact with everyone, from the smallest animals, to the large plow horse Elle. Max liked the cockatiel birds, where Max, sat on top of their cage, and would "wave to them" as they chirped loudly back to Max. Max, met the piggies, Pearl & LeRoy, and played with his good friend Elliot. Elliot, unfortunately, died early in Max's life due to a heart attack, leaving Max, to join friendship with El Gato, the barn cat.

El Gato, was never allowed in the house, when he was owned by his first owners. Kathryn, changed that right away, and encouraged El Gato, to stay in the house, with Max. Max, and El Gato, the barn cat, and Ziggafouse played and ran up and down the spiral staircase, many times a day. But, it was not enough for Max. Max, had a "restless spirit", very lively, adventuresome, and would cry at the window, looking outside. Max, would pry open the blinds, and scratch at the windows. Max, began to open the screen doors, and run out of the house, early in the summer. Kathryn and Ben would be searching and calling, and finally catch Max, flying in the air, running up a tree, or scampering on the yard.

Max, had the "Philadelphia freedom" spirit and wanted to be free.......Max, did not have a mean bone in his body, and was very sweet, flipping over on his back and purring, and then kneading your legs, when you and he were going to bed. Max, would jump on every one's lap and look at them in the eyes, purr, and then nestle on their lap. Ben, really liked Max, alot, and Max, and Ben would sit many a night together on Ben's chair.

Max, helped his family, but many other people, who he didn't even know. Max, helped kids overcoming emotional and physical crisis. Max, provided some much needed "quiet to some distraught children, who were very angry, anxious, and had much trouble paying attention at partial hospitalization program, where Kathryn was an Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist. This cat, Max, had the gift of "healing" for both people & animals. Kathryn knew, that when she first met him at PetsMart, in Allentown, through the glass window of the store's adoption center for The Cat Shack. Kathryn touched the window and Max, touched his paw on the window to Kathryn's hand. There was magic, that very day, and Kathryn knew Max, would make a wonderful addition to her family with Ben and all the animals at their sanctuary. Max, could also, take over, where Mrs. Muchka, left off, the long time "therapy cat of 21 1/2 years of work, had recently died.

Max, along with Rocky, Kayla, Cotton, Pearl & LeRoy Piggy helped heal "troubled hearts" and calm anxious spirits. Max, was a therapy cat, that received National Recognition in the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue Doing More for Pets Recognition Award 10/2007. Max, helped Kathryn go to Los Angeles, California, take a trip for a few days with Max, and meeting other special people and their animals, that were making a difference in other's lives.

But, Max, even on the trip, tried to escape and get out of the hotel room, tried to get out of the carry-on luggage, just to run and be free! Max, was curious, wanted to roam, and it was harder and harder, to keep Max, in the house...Max, would at times, not even eat, he just cried to go outside, pawed at the door, tried to open the screen doors, pulled the blinds open...just to "get out." Something inside, Max, was calling him, away from the house........There were times, when folks would come to the door, and the Gress's would answer the door, opening just enough for the people to come in, and Max, would race out like lightening and be gone in a flash.

Kathryn would be worried sick, searching, with large search lights in the neighbors yards, calling in all hours of the night and morning....only to learn, Max, was staying out longer and longer......On Sunday night, 1/6/08, Kathryn was taking Rocky and Kayla out on a leash to "potty", and Max, flew, through the dogs legs, and raced out the door. Max, was never seen again, and would not come when Kathryn called him......Kathryn searched high and low, and then drove in her car to find Max,

The rest of my testimony gets even more hurtful for me, as I tell the remaining.....Monday morning, I found Max, with his beautiful gray beaded collar, one for a king, lying on the side of the road...My heart sank to my knees, my legs were shaking uncontrollably, my voice cracked, and my eyes welded up with the largest tears.....Max, was hit by a car, head trauma, and was dead.......

I pride myself, these animals are entrusted to me and the care I provide and I know each and every animal, I adopt or take into The Gress Mountain Ranch sanctuary I want them to have a "forever home and to live a long and happy life. I try my hardest to provide the "best quality of care" and the best possible life existence.......... but the reality is that sudden death still happens, Corky, my horse, Charles, my turkey, Red, the rabbit, even Elliot, and now Max. It was an accident....

I rethink this over, ever day, since his death..."I could have kept him in the basement, locked him up, each and every moment, someone came to the door, or the door was opened....... Max, I know deep in my heart would not be happy....... Max, will be surely missed, and we are all blessed for having known Max.

I pray that Max, will have peace and no pain, and I will too ...some day........the tears still stream down my face this day...