Thread: Advice needed!

As anyone who has read any of my earlier posts will know I have been considering who will replace Alfie, my elderly, but of indeterminate age because he's a rescue dog, golden retriever.
I've decided that it will almost certainly be a Maine Coon, subject to me meeting a few and making sure that they don't disappear in terror, or alternatively savagely attack me as an undesirable alien.
However, there is a possible different scene in that, should I get an MC before we finally loose Alfie? I'm certain that he is Not a cat chaser, mostly because although he is interested in cats, he just sat close to me when,some months ago, a very small but very pretty little kitty came up to us whilst we were out for a walk, and tried to persuade me to take her home! The little kitty bolted after about 5 minutes when a group of noisy school kids appeared on their way home! Anyway, the point of that story is that I'm sure Alfie is not likely to worry about a cat, provided the cat doesn't worry about him.
My big problem with this idea is working out a way to persuade my wife that this is a good idea, which is where I need the advice. My wife is very wary of all cats, for some reason, so what devious subterfuge can anyone suggest to attempt to get her into contact with a friendly, and sociable cat or cats? Going to see a breeder would no way be subtle enough, cat shows are right out, and I'm at a loss. ( Being male, subtlety is not my forte!).
One thing on my side is the time scale. We have a wedding coming up at the end of May, and. Holiday at the start of August, so it would be unthinkably cruel to attempt to introduce a new animal into the household before mid August at the earliest.
so, do you out there have any suggestions?