And people think that cats don't feel emotions

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I just got back from feeding Max. Max weighs about 20 pounds and came to my neighborhood about five years ago. He started looking for someone to live with the next street over. While the people loved the guy, they couldn't handle that Max never shut up!!! (LOL) Max is a real conversationalist. I heard him meowing in the draw behind my home and started calling him. What emerged from the shrubs was a beautiful cream colored long haired boy with the most amazing yellow green eyes that pierced your very soul. He tried to join my family, but my crew really didn't want another boarder. He was relegated to live outside. I set up a house for him complete with bedding and a heater. He got food and treats and petted and talked to constantly. Then one day Max disappeared. We couldn't figure out where he went, but figured he crawled in someone's car and rode home with them. You see Max loved to ride in my BF's golf cart, on the roof of my car and yes even in the passenger seat when I went to check my mail. So, it would be simple for him to ride home with someone. One day we went to our 83 year old friends house for dinner, and there was Max, sitting on the patio table like he owned the place. Our friends had just had to put down their dog of 15 years of age. Max came up to console them over their loss. He had wrapped the couple around his paw! The husband is very fussy about his cars and would have fits if a cat or raccoon would step on it. Not with Max, Max can do anything he wants. Max gets special treats, expensive cat food and turkey and other meats on a daily basis. The wife will go out and brush Max twice a day and then they will sit and talk. The husband has lunch with Max and will of course fix a plate for Max. A couple of years ago, just after Max moved in with the pair, the husband sustained second and third degree burns over 30% of his body. Because of his age we really didn't expect him to survive. He was transferred to a hospital 100 miles from his wife, and his wife wasn't able to drive. We would take her there periodically to visit the husband as he was in the burn hospital for two months. What was wonderful during her time of need was that Max was there to keep her company, perform outrageous stunts, and to give her the love and understanding she so desperately needed. He kept her busy and entertained. If nothing else he would curl up in her lap and hug her close. This year when our friend's son suddenly died and the wife was beside herself with sorrow, Max would be on her lap every time that the wife sat down. He would stare into her eyes and purr and "talk" to her for hours. As the husband said, Max saved the woman's life and sanity, just by giving her love. The wife admitted to me that she would talk to Max and cry in his fur. He would snuggle up close and become that combination consoler and kleenex to catch her tears. When she was done crying and would crawl into her own mind, Max would sit on her lap and purr and hug her hand. It amazes me every time I think about it, Max was very happy with us and loved his home; but something in him said that these people needed him more. He was so right with the amount of emotional and physical problems they have had, Max has become a very true and loving friend. Even now, when they went up north to spend Christmas with friends, Max is right there at his "home" waiting for his people to come back so he can be there for them and love them and comfort them unconditionally. At this time of year, when we are wrapped up in ourselves and sometimes giving to those less fortunate, it is wonderful to see someone who gives to those in need without any thought to the return. How great the world would be if we each could do the same unconditional caring that a simple cat that had been dumped could do for a pair of people who really needed the extra love.