This is Max The Cat.

Max The Cat came into our lives during a very difficult time -- he was the glue who held our family together. He became part of our daily routine, and wormed his way into our hearts, lives, and real estate in the garage, backyard, basement, and other various homes across our neighborhood.

Max The Cat is not just a cat, he is a gift - and anyone who encounters him whether they know his name or not, grow to love him. It happens very often that someone will walk by and notice Max on our lawn and say, "Oh! Is this YOUR cat!?" and then they share their own stories of their encounters with him. He loves other animals -- gets along with dogs and children, and spreads joy with his cross-eyed cornflower blue eyes that would make Sinatra swoon. He just wants love and snuggles ... and shrimpy shrimp Temptations ... and to drink water out of the hose like a caveman rather than the nice electric filtered water bowls we have purchased for him. The truth of the matter is, Max is his own "man" and belongs to no one -- but he is generous with his love so it feels like he belongs to us all.

On Sunday, August 11th, another neighbor who helps care for Max called my dad and reported that something had happened. Two people spotting Max dragging himself across the lawn -- they got him a box with some blankets but were not sure what to do. At that moment in time, this neighbor happened to walk by -- thank the universe she did, and she called my dad who immediately took him to Advanced Vet Care in Millcreek.

At the time it didn't appear anything was broken, but he had sustained head trauma. We were uncertain how this affected his ability to move or see.

On top of all of this Max was diabetic. Part of his recovery was complicated by trying to manage this terrible disease.

He was released from the hospital on Wednesday, but unfortunately, despite our best efforts, Max left us last night just before midnight.

He had spent the day on the front lawn, being visited by people who loved him, and he left this world in my father's arms -- a place where he knew only love.

My hope is that he closed his eyes, and woke up with to my brother wondering, "Hey man, where have you been!?"

Now we are left with his medical bills. The evidence that we tried everything we could to save him -- he was a miracle for us, and we were hoping for another one, but that was not meant to be.

Please help in any way you can -- and please share the link. We are devastated beyond words and can use all the support we can get.

Thank you so much. Give your furbabies extra snuggles today in memory of Max.