Maine Coon boil
July 14, 2011 7:04 PM Subscribe
Maine Coon boil (SLYT)
Seeing their reactions all in a group like that, it's easy to tell which ones need to be held back for Remedial Kitten 1A. (Mr. Third from the End, I'm lookin' at you.)
posted by phunniemee at 7:08 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 7:08 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
Not as delicious as I expected.
posted by cmoj at 7:10 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by cmoj at 7:10 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
I would love to see what's going on behind the camera there. As the proud owner of adolescent cats, I can't believe that not one of them leapt in the air to try to capture whatever they were watching. They all just sat there! Dunces.
posted by something something at 7:11 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by something something at 7:11 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
I would love to see what's going on behind the camera there.
I wondered if there was digital trickery. I'm easily gulled.
posted by Trurl at 7:13 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
I wondered if there was digital trickery. I'm easily gulled.
posted by Trurl at 7:13 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Vicious predators, all of them, AND SO CUTE!
posted by Blasdelb at 7:24 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Blasdelb at 7:24 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
Needs more Prisencolinensinainciusol.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:34 PM on July 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:34 PM on July 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
Maine Coons are The Best Cats because
1: They are big
2: They are fluffy
3: They follow you around like dogs
4: They trill.
5: They have tufted ears
6: They have proud manes
posted by The Whelk at 7:40 PM on July 14, 2011 [43 favorites]
1: They are big
2: They are fluffy
3: They follow you around like dogs
4: They trill.
5: They have tufted ears
6: They have proud manes
posted by The Whelk at 7:40 PM on July 14, 2011 [43 favorites]
My uncle has a Maine Coon cat named Butterbean. After the 400lb boxer and MMA fighter. It's a biiiiiig kitty, but one of the most loving and lovable household pets I've ever met. Cats usually hate me, with a spitting, clawing fury, but Butterbean just comes padding softly thundering ponderously up to me wherever I sit, and asks nicely for ear-scritchings. He can also hip-check my toddler onto her rump if she gets all bear-huggy, which she likes much better than scratching/biting. Butterbean's an honorary dog in her eyes - she's terrified of cats.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:47 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:47 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
My uncle has a pair of Maine Coons called Cheech and El Guapo. El Guapo plays fetch.
posted by Diablevert at 7:56 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Diablevert at 7:56 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
you know, of course, that if you die, unlike a dog which sits quietly by your body with big, sad eyes, these kitties will eat you.
just wanted to put this in perspective.
posted by tomswift at 7:59 PM on July 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
just wanted to put this in perspective.
posted by tomswift at 7:59 PM on July 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
El Guapo plays fetch.
Cat the Cat found DEMAND to play fetch. She had a toy mouse she would drop in front of you as a sign that she wants to play. If you ignored this, she would jump on your shoulder, drop the mouse in your lap, and STARE AT YOU.
posted by The Whelk at 8:00 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
Cat the Cat found DEMAND to play fetch. She had a toy mouse she would drop in front of you as a sign that she wants to play. If you ignored this, she would jump on your shoulder, drop the mouse in your lap, and STARE AT YOU.
posted by The Whelk at 8:00 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
you know, of course, that if you die, unlike a dog which sits quietly by your body with big, sad eyes, these kitties will eat you.
Check the subhead.
posted by Diablevert at 8:01 PM on July 14, 2011
Check the subhead.
posted by Diablevert at 8:01 PM on July 14, 2011
Say what you want about metafilter, it never fails for lack of cats.
posted by SomaSoda at 8:04 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by SomaSoda at 8:04 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar after
I want to say imaging Greg as a roof-top skipping cat-shaving burglar is completely unrealistic but then I've met him sooooooo
posted by The Whelk at 8:06 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
I want to say imaging Greg as a roof-top skipping cat-shaving burglar is completely unrealistic but then I've met him sooooooo
posted by The Whelk at 8:06 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
I recently snuck into my friend's apartment while she was on vacation, stole her Maine Coon, and gave it a lion cut. She was surprised and delighted when she returned home!
Does your friend also have a dog named Numberwang?
posted by phunniemee at 8:07 PM on July 14, 2011 [12 favorites]
Does your friend also have a dog named Numberwang?
posted by phunniemee at 8:07 PM on July 14, 2011 [12 favorites]
Diablevert , I was talking about US dogs, those were canadian dogs... they probably had a molson afterwards!
posted by tomswift at 8:09 PM on July 14, 2011
posted by tomswift at 8:09 PM on July 14, 2011
Who wouldn't want their pets to eat them if it would save them from starvation?
posted by Trurl at 8:10 PM on July 14, 2011 [26 favorites]
posted by Trurl at 8:10 PM on July 14, 2011 [26 favorites]
I have 5 Maine Coons (my wife is a bit addictive when it comes to cats). They truly are the greatest cats but the gentle giant meme is a only partly true. They can be extremely active when awake, especially the males. And if you have a pride of them (and they do form a pride), they LEARN from each other. One finds a way to get up on a 8 foot bookshelf, and then across the 4 foot gap to the other bookshelf, within an hour or two the rest will have to try it for themselves.
They also attack prey as a pride. My wife was shopping for a parrot once. She told the bird lady that she had multiple cats. "No problem, an African Grey or Cockatial can handle themselves" I said that we had Maine Coons. Bird Lady: "You can't have birds." I've seen 4 of them go up a wall in an attack pattern to bring down a June bug. I swear the damn thing died of fright.
posted by Ber at 8:11 PM on July 14, 2011 [28 favorites]
They also attack prey as a pride. My wife was shopping for a parrot once. She told the bird lady that she had multiple cats. "No problem, an African Grey or Cockatial can handle themselves" I said that we had Maine Coons. Bird Lady: "You can't have birds." I've seen 4 of them go up a wall in an attack pattern to bring down a June bug. I swear the damn thing died of fright.
posted by Ber at 8:11 PM on July 14, 2011 [28 favorites]
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar after
Can't favorite this enough - it had my husband and I laughing for a good five minutes.
posted by polymath at 8:25 PM on July 14, 2011
Can't favorite this enough - it had my husband and I laughing for a good five minutes.
posted by polymath at 8:25 PM on July 14, 2011
No sidekick named Ginger?
posted by wowbobwow at 8:40 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by wowbobwow at 8:40 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
This makes me miss my Linus a wicked lot. Although my god, he could be a pain in the ass. I still miss him. It made me laugh helplessly as well. Thanks!
posted by rtha at 8:44 PM on July 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by rtha at 8:44 PM on July 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar after
How the hell did you manage to do this without being exsanguinated? I have some affable laid-back cats, but come ON.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:48 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
How the hell did you manage to do this without being exsanguinated? I have some affable laid-back cats, but come ON.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:48 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
You can basically do whatever you want to Maine Coon if you have a sot voice and move slowly. They're the Dude of Cats.
posted by The Whelk at 8:51 PM on July 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:51 PM on July 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
My uncle has a pair of Maine Coons called Cheech and El Guapo. El Guapo plays fetch.
Fetch is not unique to Maine Coons. Fyi.
posted by dersins at 8:55 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
Fetch is not unique to Maine Coons. Fyi.
posted by dersins at 8:55 PM on July 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
Well, that tail pom-pom does pull the room together.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:56 PM on July 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:56 PM on July 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar is such an awesome name for a cat. Cats are very like Sir Digby Chicken Caesar.
Ginger: "Robots, sir!"
Digby: "Metal bastards! Run the other way!"
The amused and startled look on his face in the after picture gets five stars. He even looks slightly inebriated!
posted by winna at 9:10 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Ginger: "Robots, sir!"
Digby: "Metal bastards! Run the other way!"
The amused and startled look on his face in the after picture gets five stars. He even looks slightly inebriated!
posted by winna at 9:10 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Cat the Cat and me
Cat liked to be in things.
posted by The Whelk at 9:32 PM on July 14, 2011 [8 favorites]
Cat liked to be in things.
posted by The Whelk at 9:32 PM on July 14, 2011 [8 favorites]
I have had cats all my life. My mother raised and sold Siamese cats when I was a kid, and I've owned many cats of many breeds, from banged-up ex-feral tooth-missing ragged-eared alley cats to graceful prima donnas.
But I've NEVER had a cat as smart, chill, and awesome as Chicken-Leg Al, the Maine Coon.
He's neither too aloof nor too intrusively needy. He's neither foolishly cocky nor tremblingly cowardly.
He came from Canada. A full day in a roaring jet, confined in a carry-case. He didn't piss himself. We let him loose in the house, which is, I should add, redolent of cats past. He made a circuit, sniffed a few items, located the food and water, and plopped down in the middle of the floor and began to wash. Like, "yeah, this'll work." The very next morning, less than 12 hours after traveling more than 3000 miles, he went outside. Found a good spot for poops, found a good tree for scratching, and settled in. Stayed out all day. At dark, he came inside and he slept on the bed, like he'd never lived anywhere else.
He's the least flighty, least neurotic, calmest cat I've ever had. He is the epitome of Awesome Cat.
Best. Cat. Ever.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:46 PM on July 14, 2011 [30 favorites]
But I've NEVER had a cat as smart, chill, and awesome as Chicken-Leg Al, the Maine Coon.
He's neither too aloof nor too intrusively needy. He's neither foolishly cocky nor tremblingly cowardly.
He came from Canada. A full day in a roaring jet, confined in a carry-case. He didn't piss himself. We let him loose in the house, which is, I should add, redolent of cats past. He made a circuit, sniffed a few items, located the food and water, and plopped down in the middle of the floor and began to wash. Like, "yeah, this'll work." The very next morning, less than 12 hours after traveling more than 3000 miles, he went outside. Found a good spot for poops, found a good tree for scratching, and settled in. Stayed out all day. At dark, he came inside and he slept on the bed, like he'd never lived anywhere else.
He's the least flighty, least neurotic, calmest cat I've ever had. He is the epitome of Awesome Cat.
Best. Cat. Ever.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:46 PM on July 14, 2011 [30 favorites]
Over here, "coon" is both the single worst thing you can call an Aboriginal, as well as a brand of cheese! The slur is ugly and the cheese is bland.
posted by tumid dahlia at 9:51 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by tumid dahlia at 9:51 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
OMG MY CAT IS A MAINE COON I ALWAYS WONDERED
posted by tumid dahlia at 9:52 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by tumid dahlia at 9:52 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Greg Nog: it is simply magnificent that you called your cat Sir Digby Chicken Caesar.
That is all.
posted by Decani at 9:54 PM on July 14, 2011
That is all.
posted by Decani at 9:54 PM on July 14, 2011
I know from experience that Greg Nog has the best named cats ever.
posted by The Whelk at 9:57 PM on July 14, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 9:57 PM on July 14, 2011
This is exactly - exactly - what I needed from a two minute net break to get through the next two hours. Back to work!
posted by obiwanwasabi at 10:06 PM on July 14, 2011
posted by obiwanwasabi at 10:06 PM on July 14, 2011
Actually she's probably only Maine Coon in looks, because she is incredibly stupid and also very angry.
posted by tumid dahlia at 10:08 PM on July 14, 2011
posted by tumid dahlia at 10:08 PM on July 14, 2011
Also this is really weird. At first I was like mildly grar at the word "coon" for the reason outlined above (it's a horrible racial slur in Australia,), but now that I have associated it with the possible breed of my violent, idiot cat...it's not so bad.
posted by tumid dahlia at 10:11 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by tumid dahlia at 10:11 PM on July 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
The word is also problematic in America, albeit a bit anachronistic, I only come across it when talking about the breed of big, happy cats so I'll be happy if it supplants the previous use.
posted by The Whelk at 10:18 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:18 PM on July 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
I suspect the "coon" in Maine Coon is more a reference to the size and thickness of the coat of the cat, like a raccoon, which are commonly called 'coons. That, and Maine isn't known as a hotbed of southern American racism.
A quick Google of it didn't reveal much in the way of the name of the cat, but there is a good Wikipedia entry.
posted by Xoebe at 10:51 PM on July 14, 2011
A quick Google of it didn't reveal much in the way of the name of the cat, but there is a good Wikipedia entry.
posted by Xoebe at 10:51 PM on July 14, 2011
I'm very disappointed that the link didn't lead to a video about people in Maine who have parties where they boil up a bunch of racoons (a Maine version of a Louisiana crab boil).
Actually, I'm probably more relieved than disappointed.
posted by 445supermag at 11:09 PM on July 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
Actually, I'm probably more relieved than disappointed.
posted by 445supermag at 11:09 PM on July 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
I'm meltingggggggggggggggggg
posted by Apocryphon at 11:12 PM on July 14, 2011
posted by Apocryphon at 11:12 PM on July 14, 2011
Anyone with comparative experience of Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats? The two lion-cat breeds seem quite similar in a lot of ways! I kind of favour the latter, just because I love the idea of a grim and frostbitten housepet.
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 11:55 PM on July 14, 2011
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 11:55 PM on July 14, 2011
I used to have two Maine Coons who were brothers. Best cats ever. One was an expert hunter of all things, the other was a vegetarian. He used to bring in the biggest, gnarliest, most bad-assed oak leaves you've ever seen. The only living thing he ever caught was a luna moth, and I'm convinced he must have assumed it was an especially playful pile of leaves.
posted by Eumachia L F at 12:40 AM on July 15, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Eumachia L F at 12:40 AM on July 15, 2011 [5 favorites]
Serious dog-lover here, but I am converted! Coon Cats rule.
posted by honey-barbara at 1:17 AM on July 15, 2011
posted by honey-barbara at 1:17 AM on July 15, 2011
My little 'coon (probably a mix, we don't know his parents, but he is very Maine Coon) was a rescue, and I am so delighted with him. On day 2 with me (two and a half months old), he'd figured out how to scale a wall. A few months later, he was drinking from the faucet. He potted himself, played hide-and-seek in buckets, bags himself (I don't leave plastic bags unsupervised for this very reason, btw!), and does an excellent lion impression.
And he takes a shower every day. (Yes, my shower looks moldy, it was even worse when I moved in, it was installed by the previous owners without any waterproof backing. Shall be entirely redone eventually.)
posted by fraula at 1:44 AM on July 15, 2011 [8 favorites]
And he takes a shower every day. (Yes, my shower looks moldy, it was even worse when I moved in, it was installed by the previous owners without any waterproof backing. Shall be entirely redone eventually.)
posted by fraula at 1:44 AM on July 15, 2011 [8 favorites]
I recently snuck into my friend's apartment while she was on vacation, stole her Maine Coon, and gave it a lion cut.
Cat burglary: You're doing itwrong right wrong... Erm...
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 1:59 AM on July 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
Cat burglary: You're doing it
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 1:59 AM on July 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
The funnest thing* to do to a Maine Coon is to take the fur on the side of their cheeks and give them "Bozo face," like Bozo the Clown**. Then talk about Bozo Face and tell them how cute they are. The look of derision you'll get from them in return is priceless.
Our current Maine Coon boy, Murphy, is our favorite cat ever. Totally chill. When he decides it is time for him to love you, it's like winning a gold medal.
(*If they will sit still long enough, the second funnest thing is to twist that cheek fur into Salvador Dali mustaches.)
(**Not linking to picture of Bozo because clowns are kind of creepy.)
posted by Sweetie Darling at 2:55 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Our current Maine Coon boy, Murphy, is our favorite cat ever. Totally chill. When he decides it is time for him to love you, it's like winning a gold medal.
(*If they will sit still long enough, the second funnest thing is to twist that cheek fur into Salvador Dali mustaches.)
(**Not linking to picture of Bozo because clowns are kind of creepy.)
posted by Sweetie Darling at 2:55 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
fraula, your cat Kanoko is all kinds of awesome. He even wants to ride a bike! Dayumn.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 3:38 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by flyingsquirrel at 3:38 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
fraula, that tailed bucket is just too much.
posted by vanar sena at 3:53 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by vanar sena at 3:53 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
In college I had this magical cat. She was basically a puppy wearing a cat costume. Also, she made ribbit-type nosies. It all makes sense now: she probably had some Maine Coon in her!
Another weird thing: people who have cat allergies were not allergic to her. Is that a Maine Coon thing as well, or was my kitty actually magical?
posted by giraffe at 4:04 AM on July 15, 2011
Another weird thing: people who have cat allergies were not allergic to her. Is that a Maine Coon thing as well, or was my kitty actually magical?
posted by giraffe at 4:04 AM on July 15, 2011
Camera trickery: I believe the table the cats are on is tall enough that they are not confident jumping off of it. And I'll bet the person working the "tease" object (I'm imagining it as a rodent carcass) is just far enough away that they are not quite confident leaping through the air to attack that person.
My cousin has an all black Maine Coon (mix of some kind). Every time I see that cat, I am agog at the size of the thing. If sufficiently amused by the idea, I believe it could kill me. I swear, it is part Serval.
Allergies: I agree- I don't find myself as allergic to this cat as others.
posted by gjc at 5:03 AM on July 15, 2011
My cousin has an all black Maine Coon (mix of some kind). Every time I see that cat, I am agog at the size of the thing. If sufficiently amused by the idea, I believe it could kill me. I swear, it is part Serval.
Allergies: I agree- I don't find myself as allergic to this cat as others.
posted by gjc at 5:03 AM on July 15, 2011
> you know, of course, that if you die, unlike a dog which sits quietly by your body with big, sad eyes, these kitties will eat you.
At the time, I will be dead. You might be surprised how apathetic this will make me about things.
posted by ardgedee at 5:17 AM on July 15, 2011 [13 favorites]
At the time, I will be dead. You might be surprised how apathetic this will make me about things.
posted by ardgedee at 5:17 AM on July 15, 2011 [13 favorites]
My boy cat Craig Nichols is a Maine Coon and he is fantastic. He is the biggest, orangest cat ever (you can look it up).
DID YOU KNOW that Maine Coons are, legendarily anyway, descended from the cats of Marie Antoinette, who put them on a ship to America in an attempt to escape the French Revolution? She didn't make it onto the boat but her cats did.
My girl cat Murphy Nichols is a Norwegian Forest Cat and she is also fantastic but mysterious. Totally different vibe.
posted by padraigin at 5:45 AM on July 15, 2011
DID YOU KNOW that Maine Coons are, legendarily anyway, descended from the cats of Marie Antoinette, who put them on a ship to America in an attempt to escape the French Revolution? She didn't make it onto the boat but her cats did.
My girl cat Murphy Nichols is a Norwegian Forest Cat and she is also fantastic but mysterious. Totally different vibe.
posted by padraigin at 5:45 AM on July 15, 2011
Yes, padraigin, I DID know that! I grew up with a half purebred Main Coon cat - her mom was an escaped purebred show cat who was shown a good time with the neighborhood Tom and her rep was destroyed forever! Such a jezebel, goodness. On the upside, she had the most AMAZING kittens, including my cat, Anastasia. Annie was like, imagine a Maine Coon, huge enormous fluffy thing, calico with perfect black leggings and white paws, only sized down perfectly to about 6 pounds of cat. She was miniature and ideal in every way.
I was always told that Maine Coons were called that because of their raccoon-like affinity for water, and stealing things in very presumptuous ways. My cat Annie functioned under the assumption that any pair of socks in the house was her prey, as well as anything red, and that every sink was her bed, particularly when the faucet was dripping.
She liked to catch the cardinals that fed near our deck and pluck them alive in front of the glass door when we had guests over. She would also catch all the baby moles and line them up perfectly in a row at our front door, headless, and leave the heads in a semicircle next to the bodies. Such a sweetheart!
posted by Mizu at 6:03 AM on July 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
I was always told that Maine Coons were called that because of their raccoon-like affinity for water, and stealing things in very presumptuous ways. My cat Annie functioned under the assumption that any pair of socks in the house was her prey, as well as anything red, and that every sink was her bed, particularly when the faucet was dripping.
She liked to catch the cardinals that fed near our deck and pluck them alive in front of the glass door when we had guests over. She would also catch all the baby moles and line them up perfectly in a row at our front door, headless, and leave the heads in a semicircle next to the bodies. Such a sweetheart!
posted by Mizu at 6:03 AM on July 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
He is the biggest, orangest cat ever (you can look it up).
I think he only gets that title because Linus passed on to Kitty Heaven some years ago, because *he* was the official biggest, orangest cat that ever was. I have a plaque somewhere that says so.
posted by rtha at 6:15 AM on July 15, 2011
I think he only gets that title because Linus passed on to Kitty Heaven some years ago, because *he* was the official biggest, orangest cat that ever was. I have a plaque somewhere that says so.
posted by rtha at 6:15 AM on July 15, 2011
My Maine Coon, though a lovely cat, was neurotic and about 7 pounds. I love big cats, and I try so hard to adopt them -- I have a Siberian, who weighs 5 pounds, I have a rescue cat who was the size of a 6m old kitten at 2m but is still only 13 pounds. Why can I not have a nice 25 pound cat who will lovingly suffocate me in my sleep again? (The cat who did that was not a Maine Coon, either.)
posted by jeather at 6:26 AM on July 15, 2011
posted by jeather at 6:26 AM on July 15, 2011
I think he only gets that title because Linus passed on to Kitty Heaven some years ago, because *he* was the official biggest, orangest cat that ever was. I have a plaque somewhere that says so.
I WILL FIGHT YOU
posted by padraigin at 6:26 AM on July 15, 2011 [6 favorites]
I WILL FIGHT YOU
posted by padraigin at 6:26 AM on July 15, 2011 [6 favorites]
re: allergies -- most people with cat allergies find that they are far less affected by longhaired cats than by shorthair cats. My vet explained it to me once, damned if I can remember, though.
(Maine coons rock.)
posted by tzikeh at 6:59 AM on July 15, 2011
(Maine coons rock.)
posted by tzikeh at 6:59 AM on July 15, 2011
I had a Maine Coon a while back. They are the most awesome cats in the world. But the one we had was mildly deranged. He would follow you around like a dog and jump on your shoulder from the floor and purr extremely loudly while kneading your shoulder with his claws and then start biting your ear. I swear that cat was more like a dog than a cat.
posted by blucevalo at 7:03 AM on July 15, 2011
posted by blucevalo at 7:03 AM on July 15, 2011
He would follow you around like a dog and jump on your shoulder from the floor and purr extremely loudly while kneading your shoulder with his claws and then start biting your ear. I swear that cat was more like a dog than a cat.
For what it's worth, this all sounds like typical cat behavior to me. The nipping of ear, cheek, arm, etc. -- very typical particularly of larger male cats when being aggressively affectionate.
posted by aught at 7:23 AM on July 15, 2011
For what it's worth, this all sounds like typical cat behavior to me. The nipping of ear, cheek, arm, etc. -- very typical particularly of larger male cats when being aggressively affectionate.
posted by aught at 7:23 AM on July 15, 2011
*yaks in padraigin's shoes*
posted by rtha at 7:33 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by rtha at 7:33 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
True that you can do anything to a Coon. My Mainie Max (RIP, my best boy) would let me pull knots out of his fur by the root as he preferred that to shaving. (Though a single person could shave him, he was that laid back.)
My favorite Max stories:
The morning I saw him simply destroy the neighbor's pug Taco with a running tackle. "Yipe, Yipe, Yipe!"
The day he fetched in a stick longer than he was from outside. Very proud!
The night he comes in and has cooked spaghetti all caught in his under-carriage. We never did figure out what the story was behind that.
posted by thebrokedown at 7:55 AM on July 15, 2011 [6 favorites]
My favorite Max stories:
The morning I saw him simply destroy the neighbor's pug Taco with a running tackle. "Yipe, Yipe, Yipe!"
The day he fetched in a stick longer than he was from outside. Very proud!
The night he comes in and has cooked spaghetti all caught in his under-carriage. We never did figure out what the story was behind that.
posted by thebrokedown at 7:55 AM on July 15, 2011 [6 favorites]
Linus used to let me vacuum him.
posted by rtha at 8:09 AM on July 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by rtha at 8:09 AM on July 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
If I adopt a Maine Coon this summer I will blame metafilter. I have enough cats! I don't need more. Especially not one which will outweigh all the other cats put together.
posted by jeather at 8:13 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jeather at 8:13 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
A Maine Coon and a Boxer would be a fine arrangement. I must devise a plan.
posted by everichon at 8:21 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by everichon at 8:21 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
jeather, what do you mean by "enough" cats? Our particular ideal is that there should more 1 more cat than there are people in the household. We're currently short a cat (three cats, three people), but can't realistically rectify that now, as one of the cats is elderly and not great at accepting new anything. At one point, we had five cats, which was a lot of cats. But there were four people, so the proper ratio was maintained.
posted by rtha at 8:35 AM on July 15, 2011
posted by rtha at 8:35 AM on July 15, 2011
most people with cat allergies find that they are far less affected by longhaired cats than by shorthair cats.
Not entirely true; Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats are some of the best for allergies, but Persians and Exotics are some of the worst.
What causes cat allergies is not the hair itself, but rather a protein in their saliva (which of course completely coats the hair as cats groom themselves). Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats have lower levels of that protein than other cats, possibly but not necessarily due to a more "wild" phenotype (triangular head rather than squished face, long hair, toe tufts to protect the feet from snow, etc.). Other breeds that are possibly but not necessarily good for allergies include Abyssinians and Russian Blues.
posted by infinitywaltz at 9:26 AM on July 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
Not entirely true; Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats are some of the best for allergies, but Persians and Exotics are some of the worst.
What causes cat allergies is not the hair itself, but rather a protein in their saliva (which of course completely coats the hair as cats groom themselves). Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats have lower levels of that protein than other cats, possibly but not necessarily due to a more "wild" phenotype (triangular head rather than squished face, long hair, toe tufts to protect the feet from snow, etc.). Other breeds that are possibly but not necessarily good for allergies include Abyssinians and Russian Blues.
posted by infinitywaltz at 9:26 AM on July 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
my longest-term life companion to date was a Maine Coon (who happened to be the reincarnation of Janis Joplin, and who shortly after her death was then reincarnated into my daughter -- long story.) Janis (the cat, not her pre-incarnation) happened also to have the frequent MC trait of polydactylism -- she had 7 toes on each of her front paws, and 6 on each of the back. when she was a kitten i used to sometimes catch her just gazing all WTF-like at those enormous paws. she was also unusually intelligent and communicative (or so i perceived) -- this is a cat that could untie knots, open latched doors, and indicate fine shades of disdain or interest with the subtlest of facial expressions...though i admit to the possibility of projection on that last tip.
i didn't know MCs were known for intelligence, though; i always attributed her extra level of consciousness to an incident from her kittenhood, where i had had a little foil packet filled with a number of tiny paper squares on my kitchen counter (ah, youth) and came home one day to find the foil ripped apart and the squares scattered all over the living room floor. i *think* i managed to find them all, so there was no ingestion of paper, but licking, quite possibly....i certainly watched Janis very carefully for a couple of days after that, but how to distinguish the spazmolicity of a kitten from that which may have been induced through other means? still, i was not the only one to remark over the course of her life upon how....*aware* she seemed, compared to most cats.
draw your own conclusions here....you may be one of the lucky 25!
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 9:27 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
i didn't know MCs were known for intelligence, though; i always attributed her extra level of consciousness to an incident from her kittenhood, where i had had a little foil packet filled with a number of tiny paper squares on my kitchen counter (ah, youth) and came home one day to find the foil ripped apart and the squares scattered all over the living room floor. i *think* i managed to find them all, so there was no ingestion of paper, but licking, quite possibly....i certainly watched Janis very carefully for a couple of days after that, but how to distinguish the spazmolicity of a kitten from that which may have been induced through other means? still, i was not the only one to remark over the course of her life upon how....*aware* she seemed, compared to most cats.
draw your own conclusions here....you may be one of the lucky 25!
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 9:27 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar started off as one of many foster kittens, but his sweet dumb face and affability made him impossible to give up. He seems to be enjoying his new look—thanks, Greg!
I aspire to one day own a sidekick Leonberger I could name Ginger; I will encourage Sir Digby to ride it.
posted by ausdemfenster at 9:27 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
I aspire to one day own a sidekick Leonberger I could name Ginger; I will encourage Sir Digby to ride it.
posted by ausdemfenster at 9:27 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Shaving your Maine Coon is just cruel. We adopted one that had gotten a lion cut from her previous owner and she was miserable, just really miserable, for all the time she looked like a circus clown. Only now that she has her full glorious coat back does she seem happy again. Yeah sure, she needs extra brushing, but that's a small price to pay for her essential dignity as an animal.
posted by monospace at 9:33 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by monospace at 9:33 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
as one of the cats is elderly and not great at accepting new anything
Quality v. quantity: while we'd love to get a couple rescue cats, our current old lady (who was the shy omega cat for many years in the household before old age took its toll) is loving her "only" status. We figure we'll give her these golden years; she deserves it.
posted by aught at 9:35 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Quality v. quantity: while we'd love to get a couple rescue cats, our current old lady (who was the shy omega cat for many years in the household before old age took its toll) is loving her "only" status. We figure we'll give her these golden years; she deserves it.
posted by aught at 9:35 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
2 cats, one of whom disdains all other feline companionship, 1 person. I actually intend to foster again in the winter, which should bring me up to an appropriately crazy cat lady number again.
posted by jeather at 9:35 AM on July 15, 2011
posted by jeather at 9:35 AM on July 15, 2011
I loved this video yesterday, and I love it some more today. But I have no freaking clue what "Maine Cool boil" means. Cannot parse. Please help. Thank you.
posted by mudpuppie at 10:46 AM on July 15, 2011
posted by mudpuppie at 10:46 AM on July 15, 2011
I occasionally fantasize about fostering cats, but I know myself well enough to know that I'd end up adopting each and every one. That way lies cat-lady-hood, and I'll probably get there eventually anyway.
posted by rtha at 11:06 AM on July 15, 2011
posted by rtha at 11:06 AM on July 15, 2011
dear mr nog,
where is your cooky recipe?
yours,
disappointed in nyc
posted by elizardbits at 11:24 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
where is your cooky recipe?
yours,
disappointed in nyc
posted by elizardbits at 11:24 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
But I have no freaking clue what "Maine Cool boil" means.
"Boil" is the collective noun for a group of hawks. But I like using it to describe any seething mass of homogenous life forms.
posted by Trurl at 11:28 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Boil" is the collective noun for a group of hawks. But I like using it to describe any seething mass of homogenous life forms.
posted by Trurl at 11:28 AM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Kittens are actually very easy to give up, because you get sick of the stupid cats playing on your face at 3 am. Then, a week after they're gone, you want kittens back. Repeat until people all neuter their pets.
posted by jeather at 11:36 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by jeather at 11:36 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
"Boil" is the collective noun for a group of hawks.
Really? We say "kettle" out in these parts. Alternately, "bunch," "stack," "lotta," and "batch." This pretty much only applies to a group of more than four or six, rising in a thermal. /hawk pedantry
posted by rtha at 11:39 AM on July 15, 2011
Really? We say "kettle" out in these parts. Alternately, "bunch," "stack," "lotta," and "batch." This pretty much only applies to a group of more than four or six, rising in a thermal. /hawk pedantry
posted by rtha at 11:39 AM on July 15, 2011
I also am more familiar with "kettle of hawks".
But I'm really just commenting to post a picture of Al, the Best Cat Ever.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:50 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
But I'm really just commenting to post a picture of Al, the Best Cat Ever.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:50 AM on July 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Kittens are actually very easy to give up, because you get sick of the stupid cats playing on your face at 3 am. Then, a week after they're gone, you want kittens back. Repeat until people all neuter their pets.
Yeah, fostering kittens is actually a pretty great deal-- you get to keep them through their time of absolute maximal cuteness and extreme cuddliness, then just as they start turning into little monsters (10 - 12 weeks, give or take), you get to trade them in for a new batch of tiny adorable ones.
And the whole time you're like "Wait, this is my volunteer work? What a great fucking deal." It's as if eating pizza and drinking beer was suddenly considered doing a good deed or something.
posted by dersins at 11:53 AM on July 15, 2011 [12 favorites]
Yeah, fostering kittens is actually a pretty great deal-- you get to keep them through their time of absolute maximal cuteness and extreme cuddliness, then just as they start turning into little monsters (10 - 12 weeks, give or take), you get to trade them in for a new batch of tiny adorable ones.
And the whole time you're like "Wait, this is my volunteer work? What a great fucking deal." It's as if eating pizza and drinking beer was suddenly considered doing a good deed or something.
posted by dersins at 11:53 AM on July 15, 2011 [12 favorites]
Another vote for 'kettle.'
Besides, "Maine Coon Kettle" sounds really, really cool.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:03 PM on July 15, 2011
Besides, "Maine Coon Kettle" sounds really, really cool.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:03 PM on July 15, 2011
For what it's worth, this all sounds like typical cat behavior to me. The nipping of ear, cheek, arm, etc. -- very typical particularly of larger male cats when being aggressively affectionate.
That may be true, but this cat was still unlike any male cat I've ever been around.
posted by blucevalo at 12:28 PM on July 15, 2011
That may be true, but this cat was still unlike any male cat I've ever been around.
posted by blucevalo at 12:28 PM on July 15, 2011
Yeah, fostering kittens is actually a pretty great deal-- you get to keep them through their time of absolute maximal cuteness and extreme cuddliness, then just as they start turning into little monsters (10 - 12 weeks, give or take), you get to trade them in for a new batch of tiny adorable ones.
They don't turn into little monsters, they turn into demon cats made out of demons who sometimes play fetch if they can remember how the game works, and sometimes play missile command, where you throw nerf darts in an arc and they smack them down out of the air. But yeah mostly the demoning around.
posted by edbles at 1:16 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
They don't turn into little monsters, they turn into demon cats made out of demons who sometimes play fetch if they can remember how the game works, and sometimes play missile command, where you throw nerf darts in an arc and they smack them down out of the air. But yeah mostly the demoning around.
posted by edbles at 1:16 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
One more thing I like about Maine Coons (and this comment is not simply my way of showing y'all a picture of Max), they are the only cats I have had that play with toys in such a way to up the difficulty level. Not only did Max fetch, but he also would put toys into boxes and shoes so that they would be more fun to dig out. My new baby, Olivia, does the same thing. They both also place(d) their favorite toys in their food bowl for safe keeping.
posted by thebrokedown at 1:36 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by thebrokedown at 1:36 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ok. Now I need to adopt about 10 maine coon kittens and Greg Nog's cookies!
posted by grapesaresour at 1:42 PM on July 15, 2011
posted by grapesaresour at 1:42 PM on July 15, 2011
Roswell, who is not at all a Maine Coon, loves to fetch, and he loves to bring the toy - now covered in cat spit - back for you to throw again and again, usually when you've just sat down to dinner. Linus, my dear departed Maine Coon, liked to fetch as well, but his method was to bring you the toy once; when you threw it, he would chase after it, bat it around for a minute, and then holler until you came and got the toy and threw it again. Yes, he had me trained well. A very smart cat.
posted by rtha at 2:00 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by rtha at 2:00 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is Chopin, my Maine Coon mix. He's about 17 years old now. He can be the sweetest thing -- just a look from me can trigger a virtual purring storm. But he can also be vicious as hell, relying on sharp teeth to make up for having been declawed as a kitten (by previous owners). I've had to quickly learn to read his cues, and he's had to learn to chill the fuck out. So far, so good.
Adopting him was one of the best decisions I've ever made. We're great pals.
posted by MelanieL at 4:38 PM on July 15, 2011
Adopting him was one of the best decisions I've ever made. We're great pals.
posted by MelanieL at 4:38 PM on July 15, 2011
All these bug fluffy Maine Coons with their adorable manes and faces plus spotting a mouse in the apartment is seriously erdoding my " oh we can't have cats here" stance.
Except I really want a Maine coon and SO really wants a Siamese and this two cats would just never. Stop. Talking.
posted by The Whelk at 4:52 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Except I really want a Maine coon and SO really wants a Siamese and this two cats would just never. Stop. Talking.
posted by The Whelk at 4:52 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
My family was adopted by a Maine Coon before I was born. There was already a pet in the household, a collie, who was made to quickly understand her place in the cat's view of the household pecking order. The dog would defer to the cat on any scraps placed in her bowl. Except turkey skin, which was worth the sacrifice.
The cat's name was Prudence.
posted by Graygorey at 4:57 PM on July 15, 2011
The cat's name was Prudence.
posted by Graygorey at 4:57 PM on July 15, 2011
But he can also be vicious as hell,
Cats can get arthritis quite young, apparently; it they don't like being touched along the spine this may be the reason. At the same time, they tend to hide that they're in pain.
A test my vet suggested was to gently (moderately firmly but not hard) squeeze on the cat's hips joints and gently prodding the spine. It's worth checking for if your cat doesn't like being touched on the back or is 'slowing down'. Arthritis can apparently be treated with glucosamine, etc.
If your beast just likes to grapple with your hand and try to eat it, that is because when he was growing up as a kitten, he either didn't wrestle with people's hands or his caregivers didn't know to yelp and pull away when the kitten bites too hard and so the kitten never internalized how hard is too hard.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:52 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cats can get arthritis quite young, apparently; it they don't like being touched along the spine this may be the reason. At the same time, they tend to hide that they're in pain.
A test my vet suggested was to gently (moderately firmly but not hard) squeeze on the cat's hips joints and gently prodding the spine. It's worth checking for if your cat doesn't like being touched on the back or is 'slowing down'. Arthritis can apparently be treated with glucosamine, etc.
If your beast just likes to grapple with your hand and try to eat it, that is because when he was growing up as a kitten, he either didn't wrestle with people's hands or his caregivers didn't know to yelp and pull away when the kitten bites too hard and so the kitten never internalized how hard is too hard.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:52 PM on July 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
tiny kitten asleep in the kitchen is adorable!
Hmmm, Nievan looks like a white Maine Coon cat (sorry no specific photos). I never knew what he was, aside from unusual hereabouts. He was originally found starving in the woods of New Brunswick by his first foster family while they were out camping. He's all white and long-haired and so they figured he was too fancy looking to be a stray, but he kept coming back to their camp for food, so they took him home with them. But one of the family members turned out to be allergic, so he got passed on to his second foster family.
The second foster family already had four cats, a dog, two rabbits (or was it three then?), and two kids (now three), in a small house that they had just purchased and were trying to fix up (Nievan came with a stylish spot of slate grey/blue paint on his forehead). So they sent out an email at our mutual place of employment, and I ended up adopting him.
He is indeed interested in water, not a lap cat but is always around me, though shy around strangers, playful, but very easygoing; and I call him my nerd cat because he's very smart (recognizes his reflection, for example), but not great at traditional cat instinct stuff (goes to litter box, comes out, goes to food area, scratches at floor...). So that sounds like the description as well. Cool. I miss Maine sometimes, so it's nice to think that Nievan has some connection there as well.
He does not like having his mane trimmed. He won't put up resistance of course, but looks so hurt afterwards, like I've completely mutilated him.
He also gets his exasperated face on when I do it, but picking him up sideways and rubbing my face in his belly fur is the Best. Thing. Ever. I try to do this sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.
posted by eviemath at 12:55 PM on July 16, 2011
Hmmm, Nievan looks like a white Maine Coon cat (sorry no specific photos). I never knew what he was, aside from unusual hereabouts. He was originally found starving in the woods of New Brunswick by his first foster family while they were out camping. He's all white and long-haired and so they figured he was too fancy looking to be a stray, but he kept coming back to their camp for food, so they took him home with them. But one of the family members turned out to be allergic, so he got passed on to his second foster family.
The second foster family already had four cats, a dog, two rabbits (or was it three then?), and two kids (now three), in a small house that they had just purchased and were trying to fix up (Nievan came with a stylish spot of slate grey/blue paint on his forehead). So they sent out an email at our mutual place of employment, and I ended up adopting him.
He is indeed interested in water, not a lap cat but is always around me, though shy around strangers, playful, but very easygoing; and I call him my nerd cat because he's very smart (recognizes his reflection, for example), but not great at traditional cat instinct stuff (goes to litter box, comes out, goes to food area, scratches at floor...). So that sounds like the description as well. Cool. I miss Maine sometimes, so it's nice to think that Nievan has some connection there as well.
He does not like having his mane trimmed. He won't put up resistance of course, but looks so hurt afterwards, like I've completely mutilated him.
He also gets his exasperated face on when I do it, but picking him up sideways and rubbing my face in his belly fur is the Best. Thing. Ever. I try to do this sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.
posted by eviemath at 12:55 PM on July 16, 2011
rtha: "Linus, my dear departed Maine Coon, liked to fetch as well, but his method was to bring you the toy once; when you threw it, he would chase after it, bat it around for a minute, and then holler until you came and got the toy and threw it again. Yes, he had me trained well. A very smart cat.
posted by rtha at 5:00 PM on July 15 [1 favorite −] [!] [quote]"
Our Maine Coon, Cheddar "Chunky" Fats, does this as well, and we call it playing "Fet".
He's the biggest coward ever when it comes to loud noises, deep voices or anyone wearing long pants, but he's a prolific hunter and can bring down any lizard on the screened porch. It's hard to believe he's such a serious badass predator when you catch him being adorable.
posted by misha at 4:19 PM on July 16, 2011
posted by rtha at 5:00 PM on July 15 [1 favorite −] [!] [quote]"
Our Maine Coon, Cheddar "Chunky" Fats, does this as well, and we call it playing "Fet".
He's the biggest coward ever when it comes to loud noises, deep voices or anyone wearing long pants, but he's a prolific hunter and can bring down any lizard on the screened porch. It's hard to believe he's such a serious badass predator when you catch him being adorable.
posted by misha at 4:19 PM on July 16, 2011
Cat the Cat caused a problem cause she would leave tiny piles of dead voles on our shared stoop and the neighbors would complain. SOMEHOW we impressed upon her to leave the presents in our parking space
Except for that live baby rabbit she brought home and tried to treat like a kitten. That was strange.
posted by The Whelk at 5:37 PM on July 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Except for that live baby rabbit she brought home and tried to treat like a kitten. That was strange.
posted by The Whelk at 5:37 PM on July 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Whelk, one time when gingerbeer and I were visiting her parents, we were all sitting on the screened porch have coffee when one of the cats came trotting across the grass toward the porch door. She was carrying something in her mouth....something long, and green, and...moving. She was bringing us a grass snake for breakfast! Everyone immediately leapt to their feet and ran around the house closing doors and latching cat doors. She was very sad that we did this.
posted by rtha at 5:55 PM on July 16, 2011
posted by rtha at 5:55 PM on July 16, 2011
yeah we jut let me uh ...love the rabbit (lciking, purring, protecting) until it got a chance to run away. I always made a big "It's good the curtains are on fire! Very good!" attitude toward her super-hunting powers cause she kept the bug/mouse problem down but she was a bit mopey after the rabbit went away. Poor thing, she wanted a pet.
When she started bringing me cigarettes is when it got spooky.
posted by The Whelk at 6:02 PM on July 16, 2011
When she started bringing me cigarettes is when it got spooky.
posted by The Whelk at 6:02 PM on July 16, 2011
er let HER love the rabbit. I wasn't doing any licking.
posted by The Whelk at 6:03 PM on July 16, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 6:03 PM on July 16, 2011
I'd better not come back here and see some French Kissing School for Rodents link.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:13 PM on July 16, 2011
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:13 PM on July 16, 2011
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posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 7:05 PM on July 14, 2011 [7 favorites]