Just recently married a man with a cat-neutered, 1 year old multi colored brown, grays,black feet(underneath), some white -bad tempered since she came to my house. I have a neuter female "mutt" and they do not get along if they get closer than five feet. Was told my husband's cat was a Maine Coon and that was their "sassy" nature. We love them both and have five acres of land and more than enough room for them. Could you please put a picture of a Maine Coon on line? Thank you.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 1998

Answers

The only way you could know if your cat is a pedigreed Maine Coon is if you have registration papers on him. In the absence of papers, he is a Maine Coon look-alike.

It's not at all unusual for cats to be upset when they come into a new environment, and to be hostile to other animals for a time. The five feet distance you mention is the cat's "comfort zone." Things will improve with time and as your hubby's cat gets used to his new home.

Maine Coons aren't particularly aggressive, but your husband's cat is probably trying to establish some territory and let your cat know that he isn't about to be bullied. As I said, things will calm down in time. (Just keep their claws clipped until they reach an understanding.)

-- Anonymous, September 14, 1998