AUTHOR'S NOTE:
In the story below, FuRR stands for "Feline Rescue & Rehome". FuRR is a non-profit animal rescue group located in central Arkansas, USA. I am proud to be a FuRR volunteer and supporter.


STORY:
Maggie May was our very first FuRR adoptee. She is a remarkable cat in many ways, as described in the stories below. Many thanks to FuRR for bringing Maggie May into our lives.

MAGGIE MAY, MOTHER OF THE YEAR
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Maggie May was featured as the “Mother of the Year” in the September 2003 FuRR newsletter. My husband and I were very touched by the wonderful story her foster mother, Susan Loesch, had written about her. Maggie May had been accepting rescued kittens to nurse all summer long. We agreed with Susan that Maggie May should be rewarded for all her efforts and hard work with a forever home of her own. So, after Maggie May was spayed, she came to live with us. From the beginning - and continuing up to this very day – Maggie May has exhibited a very interesting ritual, in which she “calls her kittens”. She goes to the bucket of cat toys, digs out her very favorite toy, carries it in her mouth to the hallway, lays it down, and then meows QUITE loudly. At times, we have had older FuRR foster kittens in the household. They would quickly learn that if they came when Maggie May called them in this manner, that they would get some very motherly attention and grooming from our special “Mother of the Year”. Just this morning, she performed this same ritual - even though the youngest cats in our household are now over 2 years old. I guess she continues this behavior hoping that some day her call will be met with the pitter-patter of little kitten feet once again. But in the meantime, she puts those maternal skills to good use in other ways. Please read on …

MAGGIE MAY, THE DEFENDER
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This is a story about those evil blue WalMart plastic bags. On several occasions, one of our cats has stuck its curious head inside one of the empty bags only to get it stuck in one of the plastic “handles”. Sheer terror ensues, and the poor victim runs frantically in circles with that evil bag in hot pursuit! EVERY cat in the house flees the scene in great haste – except Maggie May, the Defender!! She follows the helpless victim and tries to free it herself. And, she doesn’t stop until I come to the rescue.

MAGGIE MAY, THE MEDIATOR
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Maggie May has great conflict resolution and negotiation skills! If she hears two cats growling or fussing at each other, she immediately runs and places her (rather large) body directly between them, thus breaking their stare at each other. I have seen her do this many, many times. She always remains neutral, taking the side of neither cat. She never seems to “play favorites”.

MAGGIE MAY, THE HOSPICE NURSE
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In March of this year, Dollar - our oldest dog (14) – became ill. After several trips to our vet and then to an internist, it was determined that he had a malignant tumor on his liver that had “died” and ruptured, causing massive infection. Additional biopsies indicated cancer in his lymph nodes. So for several weeks, Dollar – who was rescued at a Family Dollar Store and was an outside dog – became an inside dog. During that time, Maggie May played “nurse”. She would grab a toy mouse, drop it in the hallway (near the closed bedroom door where Dollar’s crate was) and meow VERY loudly. When my husband or I would come to check on her, she’d pick up her mouse, run to the door, and wait for us to open it. Once inside, she would walk over to Dollar’s crate, drop the mouse, then rub against the side of his crate. If she was nearby when we brought Dollar out to feed him, love him, or take him outside to do his business – she’d rub against his legs. The day finally came when Dollar and I made our final trip to the vet together. I’m sure he appreciated Maggie May’s kindness in his final weeks of life, as did we.

Author: Sharon Morris
Country: United States
Age: 52
True story: Yes
Rating: 10 paws up
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