Max and I first met when he was 4 years old at a no kill shelter. He was like me, both of us abandoned and been abused and all alone. He made up his mind right away that he was coming home with me. My psychiatrist suggested i get a pet for therapy and i love cats. I took him home and promised him he would never be abused or abandoned again and would only know love for the rest of his life. He returned that love and so much more. Max was very afraid of men yet when he met my present husband he jumped up on his lap as if to tell me "hey this guy is ok". He didn't however like my roommate as she was cruel to me. One time I had a peeping tom and there was Max to my rescue! He jumped from the bed to the window growling and hissing and the man took off running! Max always shared my pillow, wrapping himself around my head, resting his chin on my cheek and purring me to sleep. He always knew when i was sad and depressed and stayed real close, wiping tears from my eyes. Sadly Max died Oct 10, 2006 yet it still hurts as bad today as the day he died. He died in my arms, his heart next to mine, his little paws wraped around my neck. I held him and sobbed for a long time after he was gone as i just couldn't let him go. When he went, he took a large part of me with him. I will love and miss him until i see him again.