| p>There is no shortage of fur at our house this | | | | have guessed, the state of Maine is the state they |
| winter. At the end of January two large empty cat | | | | originated from. They are described as big, gentle, |
| crates arrived via FedEx on my front stoop. One | | | | good-natured goofs and that describes Sunshine to a |
| week later, Sunshine and Shadow were at our front | | | | tee. Shadow on the other hand (or should I say |
| door with their suitcases in paw. They are my Mom's | | | | paw?) is shy. Males tend to be the clowns and |
| Maine Coon cats staying with us while she is in Florida | | | | females tend to retain their dignity. |
| selling and packing up her home. As difficult as it was | | | | Sunshine adapted well to our home in no time at all. |
| for my Mom to leave her fur kids behind, she knows | | | | As I sit at my desk and write this month's column he |
| they are in the best of hands. She said, "I feel like I | | | | is busy chattering away to me. I think he is adding his |
| am sending my kids off to college." Fortunately for | | | | two cents to this story. The only sound I hear out |
| us, our new college roommates do not party late and | | | | of Shadow is a hiss when Frankie, our wiener dog, |
| have been respectful and well-behaved. | | | | approaches her crate. She is not fond of Frankie, but |
| You might be wondering what my husband thinks of | | | | Frankie continues to put her best paw forward and |
| all this. Well, he didn't have much say about our new | | | | hopes Shadow will like her back. |
| tenants. He knows how I love animals and he also | | | | Frankie is falling head over paws in love with |
| knows not to argue with his mother-in-law. That | | | | Sunshine. I need to remind her that Sunshine is a cat |
| settles that. | | | | and dogs do not fall in love with cats. She pays no |
| The day before Sunshine and Shadow arrived I had a | | | | attention to me. At night as I read in my big red chair |
| heart to heart talk with Dani, our four year old cat. I | | | | in our living room, I let Sunshine out to look around. |
| asked her to please be kind and not tease the two | | | | Frankie shivers and shakes with delight. Her ears |
| big fur balls. I explained she had the advantage of | | | | tweak to full alert as she hustles her way over to |
| being on the outside looking in (to their crates). She | | | | the large handsome beauty. It has been amazing to |
| purred lovingly beside me and seemed to understand. | | | | watch her get up on her back legs and attempt to |
| Dani has always been a happy-go-lucky, patient cat | | | | walk (she is paralyzed). It is a very wobbly "walk," |
| so I was not worried. Once the new arrivals were | | | | but none the less, she is attempting to use her limbs. |
| safe and content in their new homes, I let Dani out | | | | She will stand on all four legs about 30 seconds as |
| of her temporary prison in our bedroom to | | | | she adoringly stares at Sunshine, her knight in shining |
| investigate. Her legs, usually 4 inches long, were now | | | | armor. Frankie does not have any feeling in her |
| 1-inch long as she tip-toed ever so lightly and slowly | | | | hindquarters, but I believe it is the sheer |
| towards Sunshine and Shadow. Her tail puffed out | | | | determination of wanting to be with Sunshine that |
| twice its size as her back arched toward the ceiling. | | | | makes her use her back legs. My husband and I can't |
| She should have been in the ballet with all her | | | | help but grin at her determination and it warms our |
| deliberately precise moves. A low growl came from | | | | hearts. |
| deep within her, letting each of the new arrivals | | | | Throughout all the commotion from our house |
| know she is boss and it will remain that way. Once | | | | guests' arrival to them becoming a part of the |
| she had her say with them, her work was finished | | | | routine, our lab Kylie seems oblivious to it all. I am not |
| and she sauntered off for a nap. | | | | even sure she realizes the new cats are here. She |
| Maine Coon cats are a beautiful sight to behold. They | | | | spends her days in our kitchen snoring on and off |
| look rather immense with all their thick fur. Sunshine | | | | and looking out the front door. If I could get inside |
| (male) weighs 16 pounds and Shadow (female) | | | | her head and hear her thoughts I am sure she would |
| weighs 12 pounds which is typical for the breed. Their | | | | be thinking, "So, what's the big deal?" That is easy |
| tails are long and bushy and big enough to use as a | | | | for her to "say," lounging around on her doggie sofa |
| feather duster. Their ears are heavily furred on the | | | | and not having to help with the cat chores. Oh, to |
| inside and tips and their eyes are big and round and | | | | have the life of a dog or cat. Yes, that sums up my |
| draw you right into their souls. Maine Coons are the | | | | decision. I plan on being a critter in my next life. |
| oldest breed in North America and yes, as you might | | | | |