AUBURN - Max Haines had been active all his life. He was a big baseball fan, he loved woodworking, and for the past 10 years he had been enjoying his retirement from New Process Gear. But three years ago, there was a major change in his life after he experienced a stroke.

With the help of physical therapists and other medical experts and the devotion of his wife, Shirley, Max is gradually regaining some of the quality of life he was used to. He still requires the assistance of a wheelchair for mobility and the use of his right hand has not fully recovered.

But there is another player in the story of Max Haines. His name is Samson, a long-haired, gray and white cat. This past February, Samson's owner was forced out of her apartment and was not able to take Samson or any of her other cats with her. A friend allowed the cats to stay in her basement until homes could be found for them. That arrangement did not last very long, because that friend was about to move and the cats were homeless again.

A few cat rescuers offered assistance, and homes were found for all of the other cats. Samson, afraid and confused, hid in a crawlspace in the basement and refused to let anyone go near him. Eventually he came to his original owner, who turned him over to one of the rescuers. By this time Samson was dirty, his hair was matted and he had a serious cut over one eye, most likely from a fight with one of the other cats.

The rescuer asked Shirley if she would provide a temporary home for Samson until a permanent home could be found. Max was in the hospital at the time, but Shirley agreed. She also took him to a vet to have his eye cared for.

After a short stay in a large cage while he adjusted to his new surroundings, Samson was let out into the Haines' home.

He was still leery of people and wouldn't go near anyone. Well almost. When he saw Max, who was now home, for the first time, he jumped in his lap and snuggled up to him. A new friendship had been forged.

“Samson bonded with me right away,” Max said.

“If I go in the other room, he usually follows me. I don't think he was petted much either. He loves to be petted and have his nose rubbed. Now he even jumps into bed with me and his purring puts me to sleep.”

Max likes to show a photograph of a chair he made out of game-used baseball bats and balls with a base for the seat.

When he is able to use both hands comfortably again, he intends to build a matching bench. Samson has been helpful with Max's physical therapy, too.

“I tell Max to keep saying, 'I'm going to pick up the brush with my right hand and groom Samson,'” Shirley said.

“Samson loves to be brushed.”

Shirley has very strong feelings about “Handsome Samson,” as she calls him, too.

“I believe God sent this cat just for Max. He used to sit quietly in his chair a lot. Since we've had Samson, Max is smiling again, he talks more and his appetite has improved.”