West Side Mews: Cuddle Up With Chloe Elizabeth and Max Moose

By Victoria Cumings

What do you get when you combine a sweet black-and-white kitty with a large gray fluffball in a cozy apartment in the West 70s? Daily doses of joy, snuggles and laughs, and wonderful feline companionship, that’s what!

Chloe Elizabeth Finkle’s lovely name fits her personality well. She’s a small, adorable tuxedo cat, adopted by her pet mom from an ASPCA mobile center when she was six weeks old. Three years later, through the pandemic and since, the two have grown extraordinarily close and Chloe is now a true mommy’s girl.

Max Moose Finkle, also bearing a rather splendid moniker, is 11 and weighs in at a formidable 20 lbs. His handsome features suggest he may be part Russian Blue, but not much is known of his background as he was inherited from a family member who had cared for him as an outdoor cat. Like Chloe, Max is nothing but sweetness, in his element when around people, and very liberal in dispensing lovable little head bumps.

Though the pair didn’t begin life together, they certainly are happy in their coexistence now. Donning matching collars – usually either a regal purple or pretty pink – the two spend their days exploring the apartment, being doted on by all who meet them, and seeking out new things to sit on or to keep themselves amused.

Chloe, despite her timid appearance, is in fact somewhat of a diva and celebrity. Not only does she have her own Instagram page with almost 200 followers, she also gets to travel the country with her mom, who works in the theater industry. Jet-setter Chloe will happily hop into a carry bag and hang out in a hotel room. Her sense of adventure also plays out at home. Being a rather good climber, Chloe will boldly leap onto strategically placed cat shelves high on the walls around her apartment. She also likes to jump onto cabinets tops, handily doing a bit of dusting whilst up there!

Max, on the other hand, given his more advanced age, prefers stability and opts to remain on the UWS when his mom travels. Being very sociable and getting along well with everyone he meets, he’s happy to stay home with friends or sitters and loves the attention he receives. He delights in batting his little mice around the apartment, tussling with catnip toys, or going on accompanied visits up and down the hallway steps for exercise. Once tired out, he’ll seek out mom’s coat to sleep on for a well-deserved rest.

Always the entertainer, Chloe has a hilarious habit of drinking water from the stream of every running tap. She’ll hop onto the sink, angle her head just right, and start sipping. She also enjoys being brushed and even tolerates the occasional bath. Max, despite being in many ways a mellow fellow, appears to have a mortal fear of having his claws clipped. Given they can get razor sharp, his mom once took him to the vet for a professional trim. Soon as this started, poor Max had a monstrous freak-out, whipping around and not appreciating the experience at all! His pet mom felt so embarrassed she left a big tip and an apology, but lesson learned – Max is now very much encouraged to use his scratching post.

Chloe, with her calm manner and gentle vibes, is also a wonderful healer. She enjoys taking care of people and visits her pet mom’s grandmother, who is in memory care upstate, to give her cuddles and kisses. Max too will hop onto the lap of anyone who sits down, making a little contented raspy meow as he snuggles in for a snooze.

Chloe Elizabeth and Max Moose – two sweet UWSiders getting plenty of love, with just as much to give.