I'm such a sucker for these guys...

It's true everybody... Just like everyone else has said, only 3 days into joining this forum and I am now already searching to get a second Maine Coon... :rofl:STOP posting irresistible pictures and stories about your cats!
I'm leaning toward the Maine Coon rescue shelters out here, because I'm not all that concerned in having a guaranteed purebred, but would just like another cat that's like Edmund. (Plus rescuers are always needed anyway.)
It's nice that there seem to be several Maine Coon specific rescue groups in California. US, so I'm guessing it shouldn't be too hard to find. I'm open to getting from a breeder too, but I'm thinking financially it might make more sense to go the rescue route again.
I'll definitely keep you posted!!!

Good luck in your search,some furry is going to land on his paws & get spoilt....

Good luck, Kari - now my two have settled down, it's so great having two of them; most amusing watching them playing together. Keep us posted!

Wow, that was quick! Welcome to the ranks of us Coonaholics.:rofl:
Then again, Coonies usually come in pairs... or threes... or fours. I don't know many people who could stop at just the one ... none at all, come to think of it.:hmm:

I wish you good luck in finding your second furry. Keep in mind that rescue cats can have emotional baggage and/or have been badly socialized... if at all. But I am sure that, if you choose wisely and carefully, you're bound to find the perfect buddy for King Edmund.:nod:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r.../Photo1600.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r.../Photo1524.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r.../Photo2682.jpg
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet don't stop

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Originally Posted by Antonia

Keep in mind that rescue cats can have emotional baggage and/or have been badly socialized... if at all. But I am sure that, if you choose wisely and carefully, you're bound to find the perfect buddy for King Edmund.:nod:

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I hear you! Edmund himself was in an abusive situation until 6 weeks old and then in a pet orphanage until I got him at 4 months... and he's fantastic! (It's really sad because several of the other kittens that were rescued from the same house had broken tails because people were so mean :grr::sad1:)
I do know Edmund is fortunate, and perhaps rare, to not act as though he was affected much by his bad childhood. Also having had some pretty hard things in my own childhood I'm a softy for all abused kids both human and animals. :smile:

Oh dear, it is truly disgusting the way some 'people' treat the defenseless ones who trust them and are dependant on them.:sad2:
Makes you want to weep, doesn't it?

Fortunately there are people like you sticking up for them... don't stop being a softie, Heaven knows we need softies.:nod:

I will admit i've always been a dog person more than a cat one but due to being at work all day and the OH had had cats at home we had our two (a house is not a home without a four legged furry). Being a softy I insisted on two so we got our babies as I did not want one to be lonely in the day!

I can totally understand your new addiction as they are such entertaining company although when they start chasing each other around I think we had two hippos not cats:rofl:

LOL, we started with one and our second Coonie came along only 2 months later!!! Hubby was upset that Gracie is a mummy's girl and wanted another one (allegedly as company for Gracie) - thankfully Monty has turned out to be a proper Daddy's boy as I'm not sure I could have stopped him at two kitties otherwise!!!

Awww, I love hearing about everyone's cats.
Just to note, I have had my Edmund for 2 months at this point. I had thought about getting another cat, but didn't want just ANY cat, I wanted one like Edmund... so that's why this forum has made me want another especially bad because I've realized that it's not a fluke to find a nice personality in a Maine Coon! :)

What's so cool about MC's is how different their personalities can be whilst they retain the classic MC traits. Freyja and Wicca couldn't be more different in personality and temperament, and it's fascinating to watch them together; it really is like watching children sometimes.

I only intended to get one MC. I know two breeders very well now - my breeder and one she introduced me to (Tigga Towers lady) and it would seem that they'd been having a little bet on the sly about how quickly I'd give in and get a second one. And four months after Freyja turned our lives upside down in the most marvellous way, Wicca joined us. It was a difficult 'union' to say the least but was well worth the stress as I'm pretty sure that both cats would be lost without the other one.

It's quite incredible how much difference a cat can make to your life if you get the right one, and from what I can gather from this forum is that where MC's are concerned, there's no such thing as a wrong one.

Good luck with the companion hunting, Kari, can't wait to hear about who you find.

I checked with the orphanage I got Edmund from, and it turns out one of his litter sisters is still there.... I'm going to at least go look at her again. I'm not huge on her pattern, but if she's like Edmund I think she might be the way to go. I mean I can't imagine they would have that hard of a time getting to know each other when they already lived together and are full bro and sis... We'll see if I bond with her when I go to look at her...
She's a tortuous shell, and her face has some really strange pattern going on, but I won't let that alone stop me :). (plus, the only picture online is from months ago when she was likely around 3 months old, so I don't know how she's growing into it - it might look a lot better now!)

Tortoishells have the most huge personalities & are always known as "Naughty Torties"
whatever the breed,I think there are some threads on here somewhere.We have a small flat chested MC girl who is tortie & does she make her presence known around here,even the big boys respect her,would not have missed out on having her even though at the time I said no & hubby said yes,think its the only time in 39yrs of marriage it has been that way round & for once he was right......
Fingers crossed you feel for her when you meet up !

His sister still available... sounds exciting. I am really curious to hear about your reacquaintance with her.
I too am not very keen on the 'jigsaw puzzle' torties - but it's personality that counts and as Jackie says, torties do have a reputation for being huge in the personality department.:LOL:
Our Tatja is a tortie-tabby, which means she has the multiple colors of a tortie but they're in a tabby pattern. Which could explain why she's not very naughty... or else she's quite good at hiding it.:rofl:

"his sister is still available" ... sounds like fate to me :-D Good luck with the visit - will look out for a post letting us know how you get on!

Yeah, I plan on going to see her today. Since these aren't of a confirmed pure pedigree it will be interesting to see how dominant the MC is in her, because Edmund obviously has it extremely dominant, but I hear that non-purebred litter mates can be quite different sometimes.
What I do remember from meeting her when I got Edmund was that she was the only other cat I really liked the personality of (and now that I know a lot about MCs, I know she definitely was displaying the personality traits of one, as Edmund was).
I'll let you know what happens, and probably post pics. If her and I don't "click", there are a couple of other places in the area that I can go see some more "furries" (as you people from UK always say :koolkat:). What drama! :smile:

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Originally Posted by kingedmund

It's true everybody... Just like everyone else has said, only 3 days into joining this forum and I am now already searching to get a second Maine Coon...

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Sooooo true, we went to visit our little man last night and now might be taking his sister too who has become available again........:satisfied:

Sooooooo cute!!!

J x

Once again looks as if fate could be playing its hand,you wouldn't regret having siblings,double trouble but double fun too,ours are now coming up to three & have only just really started breaking away from each other a bit & doing things,good or bad, independently of each other.I was a bit worried to begin with because they seemed joined at the hip although both have completly different personalities but now I don't have to worry so much about if I am getting one out of trouble the other isn't sneaking up behind to take over.
How long have you got to make up your mind ? Is it the little girl sitting proudly on someones lap,because if it is I think she has stated her claim....

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Originally Posted by Jolly

Sooooo true, we went to visit our little man last night and now might be taking his sister too who has become available again........:satisfied:

Sooooooo cute!!!

J x

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Uh-oh, watch out, that's exactly what happened to me. The one I really 'clicked' with at first was reserved, then I found out a week after we got Larry that he had become available again....2 days later he was ours.

So will you be able to resist?
It's lovely for them if they can grow up with a littermate. And it's double trouble (ie, fun) for you!
:winkwink:

Kari - how did you get on with King Edmund's sister?

Jolly - what have you decided to do?

It's all so very exciting. Had I realised when I got Freyja that I would succumb to a second MC, I would definitely have got a litter mate at the time. Freyja and Wicca now get on like a house on fire and I am so happy I stuck it out, but litter mates would have made it much less stressful for Freyja. And me!

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Originally Posted by FreyjaRoMaine

Jolly - what have you decided to do?

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We thought long and hard about it overnight and have decided to take her too! We are both so excited! 9 days to go until we collect them.

I'm really pleased that he will have a playmate! Its what we wanted in the first place but didnt think another one from the litter would become available.:rofl:

Only one problem.....all the things we have bought for him are blue, were going to have to buy her a few pink things now too. :shy:

Have got house work to do but cant think of anything but kittens!!!

J
x

Lucky you & lucky babies,nine days will go very quickly.
I wouldn't worry too much about the colour scheme,daughters big black MC has always loved pink....
Updates & pictures as soon as possible please.

Now waiting for outcome of Kingedmund's visit !

Great! How lucky you are!
Go on and indulge yourself... buy the pink thingies. Kitty probably couldn't care less but it's sooo nice to get stuff for them. :nod:
What's her name? And what does she look like?

How exciting Jolly - thrilled for you. Wouldn't be without our two now -- so much fun to watch them together! Hope the next 9 days go really fast :-)

Well, unfortunately I really don't think his sister is the one...
We really didn't click all that well, and although I can tell some similarities to her brother, she just didn't grab my heart... kinda sad because she's much cuter now that she's growing into her fun pattern! :) I'll still think about it, but I just don't feel right about it like I did with Edmund...
But I have kept my search going online and plan on seeing a couple of furries tomorrow... so we'll see what happens! I am strictly looking at Maine Coons, whether or not they are purebred or mixed isn't the main point, but I kind of wouldn't mind a mixed for the sole reason that it could be a lot cheaper! We'll see and I'll let you know what I find out!

Ok, so I haven't gotten to meet her in person yet (hope to this week), but after speaking with the foster parent of this darling little Maine Coon tabby furry... the way she describes her I have a feeling she is "the one" for me and Edmund... The only glitch is the lady said MANY people have inquired about her, and there's another application already being processed for her -- but nothing has been decided yet. The main requirement they have (besides obviously being able to provide for the cat) is that the new owner must already have a loving, sociable cat because this new kitty is pretty clingy and needs a friend always around (I have a loving cat, plus I work from home, so plus for them picking me!)
My heart melted when I first saw her (and how couldn't it!)
She's young, but being a rescue I understand - it's not like a breeder is purposefully selling a kitten too young. She was found abandoned, but the foster parent says she has adjusted to being around her and her cats beautifully and is extremely loving and has quite a fun mischievous personality.

She's 9 and 1/2 weeks old now, but I don't know how old she is in this picture.

Oh no.......change of plan. It turns out that the sister is now not available. :stressed:

Very long story, basically the orignal owner reserved her at 2 weeks old and then wasnt in touch with the breeder for 9 weeks so the breeder opened back up the availability of the sister to us.

The next day (yesterday) the original lady got back in touch with the breeder to say that there had been a death in the family and she has been busy but was really looking forward to her kitten......so now we cant have her.

To say im gutted is an understatement :( :sad2:

Boo hoo.

J

:sad1: I'm sorry for you, that has to be hard.
I hope nothing like that happens with this kitty for me. I mean right now I know she may or may not be mine, but I would hate to think one way and then have it change...

Not the postings you want to see,so sorry for you Jolly,if you now think two is the way to go hopefully there is another babe out there waiting for you.
Sorry that the girl was not for you Kingedmund but fingers crossed for the little one....

Oh what a shame Jolly, to have your hopes up like that and all for nothing. But as Jckkerrison says, there is another babe out there for you, you just have to find her/him.
I know our breeder let down another lady at the very last minute so that we could have Monty, so these things sometimes happen. She very much wanted Monty to be homed with his brother, so she was prepared to disappoint the other lady for that reason.

I'm so sorry for both of you, Kari and Jolly.:sad2:
But sometimes things can take a surprising turn. When we first went to meet Tatja at the breeder, they'd had a new litter only the night before. She kept updating us about that litter and sent pics every week. Right from the start, I had something of a crush on Minnie who had the same kind of sweet doll-face as the tabby kitten Kari is interested in. But a month after we got Tatja we got El Monto and we were somewhat doubtful whether to take on a third Coonie. So we kept putting off the decision and didn't tell the breeder about the fancy I'd taken to little Minnie. When the breeder told us she'd found a buyer for Minnie I acted as if I was happy for her, but inside I felt disappointed. A week later, the buyer pulled out with some excuse. I felt relieved, but still couldn't make my mind up. Then the same thing happened again... and once again! When the breeder told me about the third buyer who'd changed their mind I knew: this had to be... someone is trying to tell me something and I mustn't kid myself any longer. "Okay, that settles it", I told the breeder. "I'll gladly have her!" Boy, were they surprised!:rofl:

So sorry to hear that Jolly, no wonder you are gutted. There will be another gorgeous kitty out there as a surrogate brother or sister - Monty isn't related to Gracie and we got him when Gracie was 5 months old but within a week they were pretty much inseparable. I'm sure you will find a suitable playmate soon enough, and at least you can still look forward to bringing your kitty home really soon.

Kari - shame that you didn't click with King Edmund's sister but it's completely understandable - often the best kitties are the ones that choose us! Fingers crossed on the new little one you've found - she looks adorable in the picture.

Keep us posted!

Rach x

Jolly, that's really sad news, I can't imagine how disappointing it must be. But, these MC's are pretty special creatures and the fatalist in me says Jackie et al are right; the perfect Coonie for you and Jasper is out there, just waiting for you to find him/her. Fingers crossed you won't be searching for too long.

Kari, sorry to hear Edmund's little sis didn't work out, but the new kitty you're waiting to hear on is just adorable; such a cute little face and pretty colouring. Again, fingers crossed that the decision goes your way.

I've not had the experience either of you have had, but I do understand the strange feeling you get when you've made your mind up to get another one. I'd decided I wanted a black smoke girl and on a whim I went onto the Freyja's breeder's site just in case she'd got any black smokes. It was a total shock to discover 4 on there! And one in particular stood out in the photo's cause she had long silver wisps in her ears. And a VERY confident expression on her face (sound familiar??) I remember feeling anxious to get to the breeder and see the kittens, I was so nervous that 'my' kitten might be one of them and was paranoid that someone would get to them first!

Fingers crossed guys, keep us posted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Antonia

Keep in mind that rescue cats can have emotional baggage and/or have been badly socialized... if at all.
But I am sure that, if you choose wisely and carefully, you're bound to find the perfect buddy for King Edmund.:nod:

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A bit late, but...

I got my first MC, Bubba (RIP)

http://www.sonic.net/~claudel/bubba-the-cat.jpg

from the pound and he had a few emotional/mental issues when I got him that worked out in time.

I was looking for feline companionship, but didn't really have a breed in mind.

He was the one who pressed up against the cage door and was trying to grab me with his paws as I walked by and I was alert enough to see I'd been picked.

He'd been neglected ( had to have his belly completely shaved for mats ) and possibly mistreated
or had a bad outdoor experience ( Coyote country.... ) because he refused to go outside.
If I put him out, he'd jet right back to the door and yowl to be let in.

He also hated and was absolutely terrified of other cats. A tiny little black kitten wandered in through an open door one day.
25 Lb Bubba sauntered over to check out the visitor and when hissed at by the 8 Oz kitten couldn't get behind the couch fast enough.

He'd be up in the window, hissing, when he knew another cat was hanging around outside.

It only took about 30 seconds for him to get comfortable with me, though, and was always inquisitive and friendly with people.

Anyway, not sure why I wrote all this other than to say I've had good luck both with rescue cats and with MC Elvis who I got from the breeder

Claudel, that's a lovely story. And an amazing looking cat.:smile:
.

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Originally Posted by FreyjaRoMaine

Jolly, that's really sad news, I can't imagine how disappointing it must be. But, these MC's are pretty special creatures and the fatalist in me says Jackie et al are right; the perfect Coonie for you and Jasper is out there, just waiting for you to find him/her. Fingers crossed you won't be searching for too long.

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I've been stressing out all week about this. However, the breeder has more kittens who are going to be available in January and she is going to hold the girl for us. At least this way we can get Paddington settled in and then have the joys of another kitten in January. Problem solved.:koolkat:
:nod:
The breeder assumed that as she hadn't heard from her in such a long time that she had changed her mind about the female kitten, the breeder had been calling, txting and emailing her but was not getting a reply back. So i understand her reasons for opening up the availability again and totally understood the rationale when i learned we couldn't have her, so all ok. :sad1:

Thanks for all your kind words, things happen for a reason and it obviously wasn't meant to be.

In the mean time, our fabbo dabbo cat tree has arrived and im really looking forward to putting it together! Fun fun fun!

J

Ha! Well that will be a project for you and it will take your mind off your disappointment. When it's all put together you can spend ages watching your babe having fun. It's better than telly.

Glad to hear you will be able to get another soon, Jolly!

I'm not getting the little girl I was wanting. They ruled for her to go with a family that was able to adopt her along with one of her litter mates (plus, it isn't like I had any claim on her before hand). So I'm glad for them to get to stick together, and I was only up for getting one more right now, not two more (yet). Being a full time caregiver I can't really let my grandma's WHOLE house be overrun by giant cats. :rofl:

I'm still searching, but part of me is trying to be practical and I might force myself to hold off for a couple more months. I'm planning to take Edmund with me on one or two fairly long car trips at Christmas and one in January. He's doing really well when I take him on trips around town, and I don't know if I have time to get another baby used to the car or not... (this was also my mother's advice when I told her on the phone the other day that I am looking for another).
Plus, Edmund really is my little man and I know I will be okay with only him, I just would like another for both of us!