I got Max totally by happenstance. I was shopping in a mall and there was a Humane Society event. I saw Max in a cage and it seemed way too small for him. I asked the volunteer to let him out and let me hold him. He was so sweet and pushed his face against mine, and then followed my every move with his eyes. I felt like he was begging me to take him home. So, I did! Apparently he had been in the cage during his first 9 months, and it made his back kind of swayed. When I got him home, he stretched and stretched. He seemed so happy to be in a nice home. I gave him lots of love, and I loved his company. During the years, I'd try to bring other cats into my home, and he wouldn't have it. He was possessive of my attention to him. That was ok. I moved several times in the 15 years that I had him. Changing locations can be upsetting to cats, but he seemed fine with it as long as he had me. I even drove with him from San Diego to Western Washington, and he was fine, mostly sleeping in the back seat. When I settled in Washington, another cat adopted me. She is a great cat. And Max accepted her into our home. They became constant buddies--eating, sleeping, playing together. When I sent Max to the other side, the vets at Haigh were really great. I had called one of them who does home visits. Kathryn was very kind, very informative, and I felt I had all the information I needed for the home euthanasia. Then Max got better. Then he started to fail again. As most pet owners do, I second guessed myself in the end. I could see that Max was failing. He stopped eating and was so weak and listless. I. decided to take him to the vet one final time. We decided to put him down at that time. But I wish I had been in a better emotional state and had called Dr. Kathryn to do it in my home. For one thing, if my other cat had seen him no longer alive, I think it would have helped her. For about a month, she seemed to be grieving, which broke my heart even more. I am grateful to WSU and Haigh Veterinary Clinic for this program to memorialize our beloved pets.