The One They Called CoCo Max

This is for CoCo Max...



August 1989.

A litter of Siamese-Himalayan kittens were born. Little did I know that my very best friend was in that litter. To some, they may just think that he was a cat, but to me, he was so much more than that. This is the story of CoCo Max.

October 1989.

My Mother heard from a dear friend of ours that knew someone who had some kittens for sale. $10.00 each. My Mom got in the car and drove into Goderich, Ontario (My home town) and picked the most beautiful kitten out of the bunch. When she came home, my brother Cody and I were beyond excited! A new kitten! I knew that I wanted to call him CoCo and he wanted to call him Max. This would become quite the war, so my mother said that's enough, we will call him CoCo Max. He quickly became a member of the Crane clan and soon realized what he was in for. Two young children who just wanted to play with him all of the time... He didn't really like that. I guess you could say that we were a little rough with him but kids don't know how to handle a small pet. Even though, we were a little rough, he still loved us... But with distance.

CoCo Max was the kind of cat where you had to earn his affection. It took me a long time. He would attack my arms and hands like a crazy cat, and I still have the 'love scars' to prove it.

He made many moves with our family, from Goderich, Ontario to Alexandria, Ontario. Then from Alexandria to North Bay, Ontario. Then eventually his final move from North Bay to Cambridge, Ontario. In all of those years and all of the different places he lived, he was my best friend.

I was a chubby child and I was made fun of all of the time and never really felt that I had anyone that I could talk to. I would talk to CoCo Max. I would cry and tell him how I felt and he would sit there and purr. He always made me feel better. Through all of the broken hearts, he was always there. When I left home at 18, he made every journey in life that I made. We were side kicks to the very end... I never wanted to say goodbye.

When you are attached to a pet for so many years, they become much more than just a cat, he was my family.  His health started to fade about a month ago. I remember sitting there crying and told him that he was to tell me when it was time to say goodbye. I just remember balling my eyes out and holding him and he just looked up at me with those big beautiful blue eyes of his and sighed.  I knew that our journey was coming to a close, but I just didn't want to have to face reality.

August 18, 2011

That was his 22nd birthday. I made him a special dinner and cuddled with him the whole night. He loved every minute of it and so did I. I knew it was our last birthday together, so I wanted to make it special for him.

August 31st, 2011

He stopped eating. He was giving up. You could see that he wanted to keep going, but he couldn't. I remember coming home from work and he was walking to the door as he always did, but this time it was much different. He was staggering. He couldn't walk. I remember falling to the floor, sobbing and he just came and laid in my lap. When he looked at me, it was like he was saying, "It's my time now". I just looked at him and selfishly said "Don't you dare! Don't you dare leave me. Not now, not ever. I don't want to say goodbye. You are all I have"  With that, he look up at me and gave me a very quiet meow. I knew... it was time.

September 1st, 2011

When I left in the morning to go to work, he was on my bed. I said the same thing that I said to him everyday for the last 22 years, "Bye CoCo, have a good day and I love you very much!" I kissed him goodbye and I left. When I returned, he was in the same spot. This time, he didn't meet me at the door. This time, it hit me. I was watching him die. I was watching him suffer. We laid together the whole night, I just held him and cried. I couldn't stop crying. He comforted me. It should have been the other way around. But that was CoCo... That's just the way he was. I knew that our friendship was coming to a close and it was tearing me up on the inside. I didn't sleep that night... Neither did he. We just took each other in.

September 2nd, 2011

That morning I had to gather all of my things because we were going to be spending the weekend at my Mom's place. She was going away with some friends of ours and I was doggy-sitting. CoCo

September 3rd, 2011

I knew today was the day. I was supposed to go and see my Grandparent's but I couldn't bring myself to leave him. When I called my Grandma, she told me to bring him home, and we would say our goodbyes there. That was the start of our last road trip together. I had Inez, Joe and CoCo in the van and we started on our way back to the Goderich area. It seemed only fitting that he returned to his home for the last time. He curled up in the back of the van with the dogs and comforted them as he said his final farewell. They knew and so did he. I cried the whole way there. As a matter of fact, that drive is a total blur. As we were coming up to Elmira, the dark clouds started setting in and I just remember thinking to myself, I don't want a storm today. I want the sun to come out so that he can sit in the grass for one last time. As we passed Listowel, the storm had moved on and the sun came out of the dark clouds. I was thankful. I was thankful, because I could give him my gift.

I arrived at my Grandparent's and let the dogs out of the van and scooped CoCo up in my arms. We went into the back yard where he would feel the grass between his toes and the sun on his face for the very last time. We laid together in the grass, he never took his eyes off of me, and purred a very weak purr. Grandma came out and told me that it was time that headed over to the Wingham Veterinary Clinic, and we walked side by side for the very last time.

The drive there was one of the longest drives I have ever had to endure. He laid in my lap and I gently caressed him letting him know that I loved him very much. I held back the tears as we entered the clinic. Dr. Hawkins was there to greet us. He had stayed there waiting for me to arrive, even though he was closed for the day. He met with CoCo and was very kind.. The best Vet that anyone could ever ask for.

We went from the main lobby to the examination room, a room that normally CoCo Max would fight to get out of, but this time, there was no tug of war. He laid on the table, looked at me and offered his leg to Dr. Hawkins. He was being strong, but I think that he was just doing that for me. I told him how much I loved him while I had his paw in my hand. I kissed him and told him that he was the best friend I have ever had. I was sobbing... CoCo started to purr. He looked at me and I locked eyes with him as the needle entered his leg. I started to scream "I love you CoCo Max! I will always love you!" He never shut his eyes. To the very end, I was the very last thing that he would see.

CoCo Max, you were my best friend and my companion in life that loved me unconditionally. I can not thank you enough for being there through thick and thin... For protecting me from Marek when he would beat me... For being there when I couldn't even pick myself off of the floor... and for being my best friend. I will love you forever and for always. Rest in peace my dearest friend.

Love,

Ashlea

One chapter ends, but another one begins...