Thread: What made you choose a Maine Coon?

So many lovely stories!

When I was very young, 8 or 9, my dad bought me a subscription to CAT magazine. We had always had moggies and i adored all cats. In one magazine there was a story, fictional probably but the cat in the story was a Maine Coon. There was a little 'Fact file' on the breed aswel and it really struck a chord with me, I was fascinated and didnt quite believe it was a real cat! I kept that same one magazine for years, occasionally reading back over the story and gazing at the pictures. (that sounds so cheesy but it's true!)

Fast forward to 2001, we have the internet and it suddenly dawns on me to search Maine coons. I spent hours trawling through pictures and breeders websites, and decided immediately that i HAD to have one. NOW. I happened upon a breeder just 10 minutes up the road from us, and began working on my mum to agree to take me to view a litter. We chose the little brown tabby fella who was tearing about pouncing on all his siblings, he had a wonky white streak right up his nose and looked absolutely devilish! I named him Dude and he was my baby. He was a real chatterbox and loved water! Unfortunately he was only with me for 3 years, he became ill and passed away from HCM in the most gruelling, heartbreaking manner. The breeder claimed it was the first she'd ever heard of in any of her litters. (PAH!!) Traumatised, I thought id never dare have another MC, but ive never really stopped thinking about it.

In January this year my poor moggie was poisoned with Anti-freeze and I realised I could never have another outdoor cat. Cue google... reputable breeders who test for HCM and hey presto.... I am on the final countdown to getting my second gorgeous MC boy

Oh, though, NO REGRETS!