Dogs of the Cat World?
I know….it’s been a few months since my last blog, but now with the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, and before Kitten Season starts, I have found some time. I hope that you missed me!! I sometimes miss having the luxury of expendable time, you know, time to read a good book, type a blog, binge watch the latest season of my favorite show…..sigh. Not really!!!! I love all the time I get to spend with my beautiful cats! I really do have the best job in the world. Now….what was the question? OH YEAH, Dogs of the cat world? What does it mean?
When I first started researching this beautiful breed, I read this phrase in a book about Maine Coons. I then read it several other articles online. Now I get to witness it first hand! Maine Coons really are the “Dog of the Cat World”. Although there may be other similarities, here are my top 5 from my own experience.
Loyalty: Maine Coons are very similar in their love of humans. Just like dogs, they choose their favorite person early in the relationship. We have 6 females at my house, and 4 choose me, and 2 choose my husband. Oh, they will tolerate the other human, but it is obvious they are not their first choice. They remain loyal!! Queen Nikka literally waits outside the bathroom door yowling for my husband until he comes out! If she had thumbs she would open the door and let herself in! Queen Iris hears my husband come through the door after work, and chirps and trills all around his legs, jumps up on the chairs so she can look adoringly into his eyes while he lavishes her with rubs and pets. I get the same treatment from Queen Grace, Queen Peaches, and Princess Cloud Nine. Queen Spice Girl is more independent, but if she wants some rubs and love, she goes to my husband. This behavior doesn’t vary, they are loyal to their human!
Intelligence: Maine Coons are very intelligent!! They learn from commands, from observing, and from what time of day it is. When I say the word “Kitties” in a certain tone….The ENTIRE (including young kittens) sit up and look my way. They know that it means its time to eat. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, if I say that word in that certain tone, they all pay attention or come running in from outside. I have been able to teach 3 of our Maine Coons to sit on command for a piece of chicken! 3 of our Maine Coons play fetch! Yes, just like dogs! There is a video of King Micah doing this on our Facebook Page! You should check it out. They run after a toy we throw, and know that we will throw it again if they bring it back to us. Cloud Nine is the very best at this game, and she brings one of us a toy every evening to play fetch. If she can’t find a certain toy, she will chirp and trill in our face until we get up and find it under the couch or some other piece of furniture!! LOL They also learn by observing. We love to open our windows when we have mild weather, and living in Southeast New Mexico, that is more days than not. The Maine Coons know where the latch is! They will all start to scratch at the latch when they want the window open. Again, if they had thumbs, we would be in trouble!!
Love of Water: Just like dogs, not all, but most Maine Coons love water! They love to watch water, they love to play in water, and they love to watch their humans in water! I never get to take a shower alone. I always have at least 3 Maine Coons in the bathroom with me when I shower. Queen Maggie always jumps in with me, not caring that she is getting soaked! When the weather gets hot, we put a plastic kiddie pool with 3-4 inches of water out in the Catio for the Maine Coons to play and lay in. For a fun treat, I go to the pet store and get a bag full of feeder fish to put in the pool. The Maine Coons LOVE it!! You can’t have a regular water dish out for Maine Coons. They will play in it and inevitably spill it all over. I have found they love the fountains with a shallow pan on top work the best. They are infatuated with running water.
Stress Busters: Just like dogs, Maine Coons can feel when you are stressed. I also hold down an 8-5 job, and it can be stressful sometimes. My Maine Coons always know! They literally show me more love. They seem more calm, like they know I need some peace. When my husband comes home from a long day and seems stressed, 4 or 5 Maine Coons and their kittens will come sit on the couch with him. Some will give you gentle head butts and soft purrs inviting you to pet their soft fur and let your troubles melt away. They are better than any Psychiatrist for being a stress buster! They just know!
Sociability: Maine Coons are social animals! They love being part of the “pack”. Any living being in our house is part of the pack, whether its another Maine Coons, on of our rescue cats, dogs, grandkids…any living soul is taken as part of their family. They want to be part of the action, they are the great helpers for any project around the house. What ever you are doing, where ever you are doing it, they want to be there too. They love being together with their “pack”. They really are so much like dogs in this aspect! Some get jealous if you show too much attention to another, some engage the others in a game of chase, some are trying to help me vaccum, or helping my husband to hang a shelf. When we get company, they do not run and hide, they want to meet and greet!! LOL
So there you have it, why I think they call Maine Coons the “Dog of the Cat World”. I would love to hear about your experiences with these or other ways your Maine Coon reminds you of our canine friends. Leave me a message on my Facebook Page “Zia Maine Coons of New Mexico” or at my email ziamainecoons@gmail.com. Tell me your stories, make suggestions for other topics to explore, or ask me any questions.
Lots of love to you all!!
Zia Maine Coons