Our OTB Ellie Mae (dog) simply doted over kittens. When we found her abandoned on the side of the road, she had just finished nursing pups, her teeth were kicked out, had every parasite known to dog and was obvious that she was physically abused. When feral cats were born on the property, she would lead us to them. I think she had a strong mothering instinct, regardless of species. It built her confidence in herself to mother the cats. Sounds like Maxine and Ellie Mae might have a little bit in common.