Louise’s cat Zena is a total darling, but he just isn’t interested in catching any kind of rodent. Not for dinner, not for fun. Not at all.

“They tried to make me catch a rodent, i said no no no !”
(To the tune of Amy Winehouse ‘Rehab’.)

Now i think i know why .. someone has been messing with his genes. in this video from Reuters, they say the mouse has been altered to remove the smell of fear from his hereditary knowledge bank.

But what have they done to the cat? Are they saying that cats only chase mice because the mice are afraid? That the cat is culturally inclined, rather than genetically, to chase the rodent? This opens up a whole can of cat food!

Anyway, this cat looks a whole lot like Zena. i think he’s been living a double life.

Sad to say, gotta face facts, the little fella has gone to meet his Big Cat Mama in the Sky. It’s been nearly two months now, and i still get the sads sometimes. Ju-Yuen the amazing artist made a beautiful card to remember Max, so he’s sitting on the bookshelf in spirit now (pic top right).

Maybe i’ve been in denial. “No, he’s just gone on a holiday. Yes i know he’s never been to Venus Bay before, but this time he just went.”

i think the clinching moment was when Annie came to visit and said, “Ugh, what is happening to his nose? That is seriously unhealthy. Get me a bucket i’ll drown him myself.” The cancer was really bad. Or did she say a spade?

Lovely Shannon came to accompany Maxie on his last trip to the vet. He was a bit shocked when the drug hit him, “Ow!” said the look on his face, as he gave a big hiss, and slumped over.

There was all this “What do we do next?” difficulty, as Sol said i could have his ashes back, or take his body with me. Then he went, “Just go home, come back later to pay,” cos the distress was taking hold.

Huge thanks to all the people and animals who gave Maxie so much love in his life of adventure and serious relaxation. Huge thanks to Max for all the comfurt and attitude.