What is the name of your cat?
Maverick
Where is your cat family located?
We live in California but are moving in January 2021. We haven't found a new place yet but Washington state is currently the front-runner.
What is the breed of your cat?
Maverick was found on the streets at 4 weeks old, so the shelter just put Domestic Medium Hair for his breed, but I completed the Basepaws DNA test last year and they say he's Russian Blue Eastern and Burmese Exotic mix. I still think there's some Maine Coon in him based on his look and personality. These cat DNA tests are new so I get updates regularly as they get more data from testing.
How old is your cat?
Maverick is currently 4.5 years old.
Where can we find your cat on social media?
On Instagram @mavericktux
In a few short words/sentences, tell us about your cat's personalities.
Maverick is part adventure cat that loves exploring nature and part lap cat who's very bonded with me. He's really sweet and highly trainable. He gives me kisses on command, as well as fist bumps for treats. I also toilet trained him when I first adopted him from cat rescue (he was 6 months old), but, most of the time he goes outside to do his business. He travels with me on my road trips and is a really easy cat that is very adaptable to any situation.
How has your cat transformed your life from the moment you've met him till now?
I wasn't working when I adopted Maverick, so we spent a lot of time together, which has made my bond with him much deeper than any other cat I've owned before. I also got him after I lost both of my parents and my previous cats, so I had an emptiness and a lot of grief to get through. Maverick filled my life with joy and gave me a new outlook on life. He's so loving and super sweet; he always knows when I'm sad or down and comes and lays on my lap or next to me in bed to console me. He wants to be around me when he's inside, and when he's outside he's really good at coming back when he's called. We are a package deal, my cat means everything to me and makes me feel alive. That's why I love that he easily travels with me so we don't have to be separated. I can't imagine not having him around as I would feel the void.
What does your cat mean to you?
Maverick is my son. I never had any kids so he's my everything. I even made him an emotional support animal so he can travel with me on planes. We have a very deep bond and are connected in our routines.
How did you and your cat first meet? Tell it to us in the form of a short story.
I wanted to adopt another cat after my last cat Lovebug passed away, so applied for a cat online named Olie. The rescue place called me to let me know that Olie was not available for adoption because he had to be treated for worms, but, based on what I wrote I wanted in a cat, she recommended a black and white cat named Wyatt to me that was being fostered near me. I went to meet Wyatt and he was a bit shy and wouldn't let me pet him. After about 30 mins, I finally got him to play with me using a feather toy wand, which he loves. I was a bit skeptical about him but the foster mom encouraged me to take him on a 3-day trial, so I did. Let's just say that within an hour of him being at my house, Wyatt pretty much adopted me, he won me over. He was so adorable and sweet once he got me to himself. I called the fosters to tell him I was keeping him and they were happy he found a good home.
I asked the fosters if he was attached to the name Wyatt and they said no, so I decided to find him a new name. I was reading a list of outlaw names and when I read the name Maverick out loud, he meowed, so I said it again and he meowed again. He didn't meow for any other name. Therefore, I always say that Maverick chose his own name. The name does suit him very well as he's always ready to jump out of the van when we travel to explore new places. I took him on his first outing after two weeks of having him and he loved it, which is when I knew I could take him on road trips with me.
What do you think your cat thinks of you?
I am his Meowmy, his human, his one-and-only. He's not really the most social cat, it takes him a while to like new people. He generally only bonds with new people when he sees that those humans are close to me.
Your cat is part of your family. What are some things they do that make you think that she considers you part of theirs?
He's very clingy with me, so I know he sees me as his family. He sleeps with me, he goes on walks with me, he follows me from room to room, and he watches tv with me. We have a routine and are totally in sync with one another.
What are some accounts your cats like to follow on Instagram?
@surfercatmav
@bonaparteofbordertown
@theprincezukocat
@sonar.sophie
@mersha.theminipanther
@zumicatz
Why do you feel that it is important to show the world that Cats are Family?
I believe it's important because a lot of people still believe that cats cannot be loving or that they aren't as loyal as a dog. I personally find cats to be even more loving and loyal because they don't have to be, they want to be. They choose you as much as you choose them. I often find dog owners upset when I bring my cat along. They don't see cats as equal pets to their dogs. I constantly have to explain that cats can do everything dogs can, so why shouldn't I bring my cat to places like dog owners take their dogs. I'm glad there's a #catexplorer movement happening with more and more people taking their cats on walks, bikes, travels, camping, etc. I'm trying to smash this idea that cats need to stay at home and show people that cats are family and just as great as pets to take with you everywhere.
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