# Maine Coon Cat Lovers! Got Me A Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2012, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930 "2012-02-25T06:34:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/1 "2012-02-25T06:34:19Z")
My **Bert** is the lovingest cat I have _ever_ owned! Waitaminnit! I _forgot_, didn’t I? _He_ owns _me_.🙂 He is just the sweetest baby and loves both me and Dondra and pretty much anyone who visits us on a regular basis. If you own a Mainie, do you know what I mean? (Is that a good nick? “Mainie”?) So here’s my question: Is that loving of their human a part of their genetic makeup? Are they _all_ like that??? I know: “How come you don’t already _know_ that, Quasi, you animal lover, you?” I _suspect_ it, but I need to _know_ it from some other owners. Thanks! Q ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/2 "2012-02-25T06:36:47Z")
I think I’ve read that Maine Coons are more social and less, well, cat-like than most other cats. Where most cats are from-a-distance curious, or wait-n-see curious, Maine Coons are all-up-in-your-business curious. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/3 "2012-02-25T06:42:09Z")
I call that “aggressively friendly.” ---
**Author:** ![florez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@florez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/florez)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/4 "2012-02-25T06:44:55Z")
My Maine Coon died last year, his name was Egon, and he was the most loving and intelligent cat. He learned to fetch toys when he was young, and played like a dog in that way. He was very connected to me, we would go on walks like I do with my dog, and he would show me things that were part of his world- like how fast he could go up and down a tree, or were he hid out and played. I miss him very much, and I never realized how different breeds of cats were, until I had this wonderful Maine Coon. My other cats are great, but none like him. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/5 "2012-02-25T07:01:23Z")
I _like_ what I’m reading here, thank you! Q ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/6 "2012-02-25T07:38:03Z")
_cough_ rules ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/7 "2012-02-25T07:51:28Z")
I thought “drool rules”? 🙂 Yup, our **Bert’s** a dripper/drooler, but we don’t care. It’s just “kitty-sugar” right? 🙂 Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/8 "2012-02-25T08:02:25Z")
We can haz pikchur of kat, plz? Kai, thx ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/9 "2012-02-25T08:11:10Z")
[http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/020.jpg:](http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/020.jpg:)) Thanks Q PS: To **cochrane** : What am I gonna have to do w/ you??? :):)🙂 Your pal, Quasi ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/10 "2012-02-25T08:25:03Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > [http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/020.jpg:](http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/Drummerboy49/020.jpg:)) > > Thanks > > Q > > PS: To **cochrane** : What am I gonna have to do w/ you??? :):)🙂 > > Your pal, > > Quasi Giv chzbrgr? 😉 Beautiful cat, **Quasi.** He looks super friendly. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/11 "2012-02-25T08:44:25Z")
Here’s my problem, guys and ladies: I don’t want **Bert** to die before I do. I think that even with the dementia getting worse, he and I will still have a relationship of sorts. I say this because he always seems to know when “Dad” isn’t feeling well, and there he is: sleeping right up against me, and staying close at all times. The rest of the time he “divides” between me and **Dondra**. He just _seems to know_, and because I snore heavily, sleep in my own bedroom, he gives us both “equal” time. History: He’s a shelter cat whom I volunteered to “foster” and “socialize”. He was to be “relayed” to New England, but once he and I “connected”, he wasn’t going anywhere, so I guess I “Catnapped” him. He’s 6 years old now (we estimate), and he and I are pretty much inseparable. He’s declawed and never goes outside (I adopted him that way. I hope y’all didn’t think I’d declaw my cat?) and right now he’s very healthy (and fat!). I don’t want to outlive him. Simple as that, but if it does happen, I sure would like another cat just like my **Bert**. Does that make me biased, being that I have always pushed adopting shelter animals and now seeming to be not caring about that? See what’s happening? I’m at odds with my philosophy and my … **I can’t think of the fucking WORD!!!**. “Premise” is the best I can do for now. My “stand”… Anyway, :). I just need for him to be my baby longer than my time on the planet. However much time that is. I hope like hell y’all can understand this. Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/12 "2012-02-25T08:52:15Z")
Yes, my Maine Coon was an especially friendly cat, especially when we were making eye contact. The only thing he hated was getting groomed, not that I blame him. Oh, and he also hated the seeing-eye dog that was once in the living room. He sat on the steps overlooking the room and hissed until the dog left. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/13 "2012-02-25T09:10:39Z")
So I think it must be in their nature to be so loving, and I use “_loving_”, to describe **Bert**. There is nothing “stand-offish” about him. He is completely unassuming and one can see the trust in his eyes and in the way he lays his little head against your body. Guess we both better fight to stay alive, huh? 🙂 Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/14 "2012-02-25T14:33:40Z")
My Ruby is part maine Coon, and she is one of the most affectionate cats I have EVER known! People, other cats, dogs… it doesn’t matter to Miss Ruby, we are all her friends! Oh, she’s _pretty,_ too! [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/Ruby003.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/Ruby003.jpg) [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/Stuff002.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/Stuff002.jpg) [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/TheKids096.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/TheKids096.jpg) And rescue CharlieCat… I don’t _think_ he has any Mainie in him but he certainly is a sweetheart! [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/TheKids129.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/My%20Babies/TheKids129.jpg) (I can’t post pics of one kitty and not the other, now can I??) ---
**Author:** ![charmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@charmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/charmstr)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/15 "2012-02-25T15:06:50Z")
It’s certainly in the nature of the breed to be outgoing, dog-like, and loving but there are outliers. My Maine Coon Angus, who died about six years ago, was all those things, but only to me. He ignored my wife, actively avoided my youngest son (who was only about four years old when Angus joined the family which probably explains it), and hid in the rafters of our unfinished basement whenever anyone visited. The common claim amongst our friends and relatives was that we didn’t really have a cat at all. Angus died at the age of 10. When he passed away, I was stunned. I had expected to have my friend for a much longer time. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/16 "2012-02-25T18:24:48Z")
We took over a Maine Coon cat from one of our kids who rescued it as a stray. We immediately noticed it’s unusual social behavior. (And we had another super friendly cat at the time. The Maine is _different_.) We looked up breed info on it and found out that this was typical. E.g., waiting at the door when you came home. Strange that something like that would be genetic within a breed. It also doesn’t seem to want to grow up. Very kitten-like in behavior still. A++++ will adopt again. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/17 "2012-02-25T18:57:47Z")
We had a Maine coon for several years (rescued when we moved into a new home - his owners had abandoned him on the property). He had to live outside because of Mrs. J.'s severe cat allergy. He was conflicted between being a cat and having doglike tendencies. For instance, in addition to being quite affectionate he was always interested in what we were doing, but if you noticed him close by and glanced over, he’d be looking away, feigning indifference. He was a wonderful cat. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/18 "2012-02-25T19:19:20Z")
Maine coons are known for having sport of “dog like” elements to their personalities. My cat growing up was a Maine coon and he was one of the best cats ever. Sadly, he died much too young from feline leukemia :(. I would get another Maine coon in a heartbeat though. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/19 "2012-02-25T21:00:04Z")
Just to add to the consensus, my neighbor has a Maine coon, named Cat Stevens (:)). (We live in adjoining condos) I have two cats of my own, a Siamese mix and a short-haired American. Stevens will actually wait at my door when I drive up. Sometimes he will jump on a chair I have on the deck and peer into my kitchen when I’m in there. When I stroll over to the mailbox, he will sometimes run after me and rub his cheek on my legs. He would come into my house if I let him, but my neighbor does not want me to do that. However, he is an inside/outside cat, as is mine, and sometimes when he’s out in heavy rain or sub-freezing temps and when nobody next door answers my knocking, I let him in until they get home. So, yes, he’s a loving cat, and he’s not even mine. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930/20 "2012-02-25T22:21:47Z")
I have two Maine Coon sisters, Olive and Pepper, lovely girls.Pepper is huge, fury, completely unafraid of anything and very loving. She greets everybody at the door, tries to make friends of dogs, and is completely connected to my youngest daughter who manhandles her constantly. Olive is both more intelligent and more skitish. She is a bit more standoffish with strangers, but is very loving with the family. While she doesn’t avoid my 6 year old, she does tend to be more wary around her. Lovely breed, Maine Coons, I hooked. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-coon-cat-lovers-got-me-a-question/613930.md?page=2)