Pumas care for other cats: CookiesForAlfred

Alfred the cat and senior Madi Maynard. (Courtesy of Madi Maynard)

By Chase Soylu Chee, News Editor & Video Editor

Love is a powerful emotion, one that allows us to care unconditionally for someone. For loved ones, many do anything for them, going above and beyond, and one magnificent relationship is between a Puma and her cat. 

Raised homeless for the majority of his life, Alfred the cat was given up by a multitude of owners for his perceived aggressive nature; fortunately, he was given one more chance. 

Senior Madi Maynard’s mother took her to the animal shelter on Halloween. Knowing Maynard would want a cat, they met Alfred and felt a connection spark immediately. 

“His fat cheeks immediately drew me in, but he was a senior cat, so I wanted to take him in and give him a good life, so a few weeks later, we [went] back to the shelter, we adopt[ed] him,” recalled Maynard.

Alfred the cat. (Courtesy of Madi Maynard)

Being an old cat, Maynard needed to pay for Alfred’s medication, food, and litter, so with the entrepreneurial spirit of her mother guiding her, she started the business we all know today: CookiesForAlfred. 

“People always say that I make really good cookies, so I decided to make some cookies, and they ended up selling really well,” remarked Maynard. 

Maynard was able to captivate her customers through ten different organic cookies, ranging from the ordinary Brown Butter Chocolate Chip to Peppermint Mocha and Lavender London Fog. 

With every cookie sold, all of the revenue is dedicated to Alfred and his necessities. Furthermore, extra revenue would be put back into the cookies and donated to non-profit organizations. 

Immediately, support rained in from students across the school flocking to CookiesForAlfred’s stand during break and lunch at N-3 – Social Sciences teacher Jeff Hitchcock– to get their hands on Maynard’s specialty cookies. 

Canva Rendering of Cookies4Alfred's Strawberry Mocha, Chocolate Chip, Biscoff, and NYC Style Red Velvet Cookies. (Chase Soylu Chee / Puma Prensa)

“I am very surprised, even with this wee spot for a cookie [stand], I’ve gotten a lot of support, and I’m very, very thankful for the students who support me,” said Maynard. 

Although selling cookies seems like a dream, life jumps right in with responsibilities such as school assignments and extracurriculars. 

“It gets hard, man. I have days where I can’t always do homework, and I sacrifice a lot of my academic endeavors for the business, but it’s worth it, cause I like providing for people, and I like making people happy with what I provide,” said Maynard. 

Many say the hardest point of a journey is getting started; afterwards, it takes steps and minor challenges to get to the end. Similarly, like others, Maynard struggled starting CookiesForAlfred.

“At the start, it was a lack of experience, consistency, and lack of materials. I didn’t know what I needed at first to start out. As I’ve progressed, I’ve gotten more stuff to help me, and it’s made things easier and made my time more valuable,” recalled Maynard. 

Once again, love perseveres, and the willpower to provide for not only Afred but also students who want a cookie or love supporting good causes comes first in Maynard’s heart. Maynard shared her venture into seasonal cookies, favorites, and recipes. 

“My favorite recipe would have to be my sugar cookie recipe, because I can add a lot of stuff to it and make new things with just that one recipe,” said Maynard. Among the students, Maynard identified the favorite as Brown Butter Chocolate Chip. 

Maynard’s story is not about selling cookies and being a successful marketer; it is about opening your heart up to someone who is misinterpreted. Like a book, with only the title seen, or a new student who no one has spoken to, it is about giving someone like Alfred the second or third chance.

Maynard reflected, “Have an open heart and have patience, you know, [cats] can be a lot. I’m very thankful that Alfred was easy. He warmed up to my house very [quickly], but some might have more specialties or take more time out of your day. Have an open heart, and just love them as if they were your own kid. Honestly, he’s like my son.”