Maya

Maya is a pretty little cat that I inherited from Abby a few years ago.
Her story is a pretty interesting one.
When My sister Abby and her husband Jeff were still on their boat 'No News' they were traveling to Panama to go through the Canal. Of their many stops along the way, was Guatemala. On the street in Guatemala City they found a small affectionate Kitten. From what I gathered, they looked around for an owner of sorts, found none, and decided to take her on the boat with them.

I first met Maya in the San Blas archipelago in northeastern Panama. Where I was lucky enough to spend time on No News and travel from Island to Island. I thought she was a sweet kitty, with a lot of spunk.
A few months later, Abby found out that they would have to put Maya in Quarantine for a minimum of one month upon entering New Zealand. Well, this just didn't fit, as they weren't entirely sure how long they would be there.
So when they got to Tahiti, they traveled back to the States with Maya, hoping to find her a happy new home.
I had a few conversations with Abby about what she was going to do with Maya, and Finally I offered to take her.
Maya came to live with me in Chicago, and became a mainstay of my studio apartment.

Maya and I had a lot of ups and downs. She was always very affectionate, and I never doubted she loved me. However, she would only be affectionate on her own terms. If she didn't want to be petted, well, she'd bite. And if you continued (as I found myself doing from time to time) she would scratch. I've got the scars to prove it.

It can certainly be said that Maya has had a pretty awesome life in her four years. Guatamala, Columbia, Panama, Galapagos, Tahiti, Detroit, Chicago. (abby, i'm sure there is more)

She was 'allegedly' spayed in Columbia, but the papers were some absurd form of spanish, and I couldn't figure out how to translate them. She still went into heat. Meowed, at lenght, very, VERY loudly.

These two are pretty typical Maya poses.
One curled up next to the Heating Duct (being from Guatamala, she absolutey LOVED the warmth) and the other symbolizes the nickname that Jamie & Brad gave her - Guatamalan Jungle Kitty.



While they never got along, they sure did look cute together.
Maddie and Maya (The M&M's as Erin and I called them) could have been great friends. But, alas, it was not meant to be.



Today is a very sad day, as it is the day that I had take Maya into the Anti-Cruelty Society for adoption.
I will say that it was one of the absolute hardest things that I will have to do in my life. To willingly give up another living being that I cared for for over 2 years was incredibly difficult. I don't want to on about what it was like to be in the building going through that, but I assure you, it is no where any of you ever want to be, physically or mentally. I care only to remember the happy times with Maya. I shed a few tears as we walked back to the car (Brad came with me, Thank you Brad) and started the next chapter of my life sans-cat.

I love you Maya, and I hope that you are in a much happier environment.

-Danny