Rad Max

Summary

This is a heartfelt tribute to a beloved neighborhood cat named Max, highlighting his extroverted personality, his territorial nature, and the lessons he teaches his human companions about love and acceptance.

Abstract

The article titled "Rad Max" is a six-word photo story about a badass tabby cat who takes over the neighborhood. Max is an extroverted cat who loves attention and is known for his neighborhood exhibitionism. He is a lover and a fighter, often engaging in lip locks with other neighborhood felines. Max is also a Zen master of serenity and acceptance, resting when tired, eating when hungry, and allowing his body to heal when injured. The author expresses a wish to be more like Max in their relationship with themselves and others. The article also mentions the upcoming move to a new neighborhood where Max will have to establish his territory all over again. The author concludes by expressing their love for Max and gratitude for the inspiration he provides.

Bullet points

The article is a six-word photo story about a cat named Max.
Max is an extroverted cat who loves attention and is the neighborhood exhibitionist.
Max is a lover and a fighter, often engaging in lip locks with other neighborhood felines.
Max is a Zen master of serenity and acceptance, resting when tired, eating when hungry, and allowing his body to heal when injured.
The author wishes to be more like Max in their relationship with themselves and others.
The author and Max are moving to a new neighborhood where Max will have to establish his territory all over again.
The author expresses their love for Max and gratitude for the inspiration he provides.

Badass tabby takes over the hood.

Mark Twain wrote: “If a man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat.”

Max is an extrovert. He loves attention and is the neighborhood exhibitionist. When he struts his stuff outside and sees someone walking on the sidewalk, he’ll stroll toward them, tail up in the air like an antenna, and nine times out of ten, the passersby will get down and with smiles on their faces, pet him.

When he feels especially giving, he’ll roll on his back and offers up his soft, silky belly for a scratch. I sometimes feel a little jealous watching the show from my living room window, but then remember that Max is a lover (and a fighter) and to love him is to accept that he is not exclusive in his love-giving.

Max also has a scrappy side to him. Just yesterday, he came home with a fat lip. It looks as though he engaged in a lip lock with another neighborhood feline and ended up with a shallow puncture wound. Such is the life of an outdoor cat. I tell myself he appreciates being able to roam the neighborhood. It nourishes the wild side of his domesticated personality.

He’s also the Zen master of serenity and acceptance. He rests and sleeps when he’s tired. Eats and drinks when hungry and thirsty. Unlike his human compadres, he allows his body to heal when injured, rather than push through. He gives and receives love unconditionally. Every day, I wish I was more like him in my relationship with myself and others.

Next weekend, we’ll be leaving our neighborhood. We have spent time at my partner's house where we’ll be moving, and Max has hesitated to explore. It’s an area with more cats roaming the back alleys and Max will have to establish his territory all over again.

Maybe his time as the badass biker cat will come in handy. I love you, Max. Stay you. Always.

Much gratitude to Mary Chang Story Writer for the inspiration.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Rad Max

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