A year ago I purchased what I assumed was a long haired black kitten with an orange flash on her head. The only other coloring was the back paw with a sand color from the toes half way up her leg. She has since changed to a tortuse colored cat. She has a very very long fluffy tail with the coon rings in it and she is very proud of it and walks around with the tail straight up like a flag pole. I have been searching the net looking for information on the Coons and have found several pictures that are almost idential to her. She is a very loving cat but does have an attitude. She has a face that looks like an owl when she is upset about something. The markings are up and down stripes with the gold eyes with green around the black center. A friend of mine had a maine once and said that she is one. Where does the breed originate from and how far back can the breed be before it is brought back again through cross breeding if someone didn't know what they had. I do not have a way to scan a picture but could send one to an address if need be. I look forward to hearing from any one that can give me some insite as to if I have a maine or not. Thank you in advance.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Answers

SOUNDS LIKE YOU MAY HAVE A MIXED MAINE COON LIKE I DO. I ADOPTED HIM FROM A LOCAL VET. HE IS BROWN TABBY WITH A PLUMED TAIL, A LION RUFF AROUND HIS NECK AND HUGE PAWS WITH FUR GROWING BETWEEN HIS TOES. HIS NAME IS CASEY. HE'S A SWEETIE.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

I too adopted my kittie from the vet four years ago and was told it was an average old tabby cat. Two moves and three vets later I saw a picture in the vet's lobby of a Maine Coone and said that looks like my Edie. So I'm guessing mine is a mix, but she sure does match the criteria for a MC well. Very proud of her coat and always bathing. For as long as her hair is, I never brush her. She grooms constantly to avoid tangles. What a princess. Enjoy yours.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2000

This is not really an answer, but more of a kindredness. I've just adopted from the Humane Society a 5 mo. old kitten, "Melody." She has a silver under coat and a darker grey/blue top coat which is darker on the spine and gets lighter at the ends. She has a white ruff,upper lip, furry, big feet (white paws), and green-grey eyes that are slanted. She also has furry, and tipped ears and a wonderful bushy/plume-like tail of which she is very proud. Her disposition is cheerful, playful and loving and she has started to chirp with a light, sweet tone. She is totally charming and has engaged our other two stand-offish cats in play. She is very courious about water, and is teaching herself to drink from the tap. From what I'm reading, and what the Vet. says, I believe Melody may be a mixed Maine Coon. I couldn't be happier. I, too would like to know more and have confirmation of her "status." I'd love to see other Maine Coon colourings. I could mail her photo. Thanks for your wonderfully informative web site! Amy Teymourian

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000