In a heartwarming turn of events, Max the cat has returned to the loving arms of his owners, Tonya Counsil and Scott Riley, after going missing in the aftermath of a fire at Cornerstone Apartments in March.
Describing it as nothing short of a miracle, Tonya Counsil expressed her joy at Max being found near the apartment complex office on West 4th St. Despite months of uncertainty and community efforts to locate him, Max’s return has brought immense relief and happiness to Counsil and Riley.
“I was about to give up hope. It had been three months,” said Counsil. “I always felt like he had made it out of the apartment. But I always kind of thought maybe somebody had taken him in.”
Community members had supported Counsil throughout the search, with occasional sightings of black cats keeping hopes alive. Finally, their persistence paid off when Max was spotted and returned home.
Counsil and Riley extended heartfelt gratitude to their community for the unwavering support during a challenging time after the fire. Counsil believes Max stayed in the vicinity of the apartment complex all along and has now settled back into their home with familiar comforts and attention.
Max’s reunion with his owners includes plans for a veterinary check-up to ensure he is in good health. Meanwhile, he enjoys a cozy environment with plenty of food, toys, and even entertainment from YouTube videos.
Reflecting on Max’s return, Counsil concluded, “He’s definitely loved. I really can’t put into words how happy I am about it.”
The story of Max’s journey home serves as a testament to hope and community solidarity in the face of adversity.
