Two years ago, we said goodbye to our own Max the Cat.
About a month ago, because my allergies had become so severe, I said goodbye to cats as patients.
A couple weeks ago, my boss Dr. Pete Bashara and I met to discuss cats and my future. He said, and I paraphrase, "I would rather have a live dog vet than a dead dog and cat vet."
If Russ and I could breathe at ALL with a cat in our family, THIS is the Baby Max we would adopt. He is up for adoption as are his siblings. Let me know if you would like to meet them!
Last week, unable to get him on the phone, I met in person with my ever elusive allergist, and he agreed that "no cats" is the best policy.
I can be in exam rooms and in surgery suites with cats when I am on the highest dose of all the medications, but I still feel pretty yucky. And off medication, I have scary asthma-like episodes that would break up the best of veterinarian-cat patient couplings.
Off most medications and with the boarding cats around the corner (I can't be away from cats all together you guys!), I do great. We spend the early mornings together, me with my coffee, they with their toys and empty food bowls (Sorry Cat Friends!), and I cherish that time, and it is Enough.
The last stage of the parting is the stage that is breaking my heart the most. As much as I love cats, I love YOU Cindy and Tae and Jeff and Lu and all of the rest of you Cat Families just as much. I do not want to not see YOU.
And Hannah Rose. I am not even sure I can say good bye to Hannah Rose. I will tell you about that beautiful cat tomorrow.