Here's What's New

"The owner of my cattery used to send my brothers, sisters, and cousins to homes around the country using a small airline where my Dad was a pilot.

The owner knew my Dad was interested in finding a Maine Coon, and one day the owner told my Dad that my litter had arrived. My Dad came to look at my litter when we were about 4 weeks old.

When I saw him, I knew he was the right human for me. I walked away from my litter mates and marched right up to him, and looked him in the eye.

Dad told the owner that I was the right one. He was looking for a playful, strong, and assertive personality and boy did he get that in me!! Dad had just met Mom so she wasn't there when I picked him, but I met her soon afterwards when I came to my new home."

"Are there any other animals in the house? If so, do you love them, torture them, or tolerate them?"

"I have two pedigreed Maine Coon brothers named Elliot and Marley. I am the patriarch and the Alpha, though I only assert my Alpha tendencies when necessary.

Elliot came to live with us when I was four and he drove me crazy at first, but he grew on me in no time. He saw me as his new best friend from the start and it was pretty fun having a playmate after four years with just Mom and Dad.

Then, when I was nine, Marley showed up. Oh my. Now I am an easy going guy, so I warmed up to him OK, but Elliot?

He wanted Marley to go on an extended one-way trip to anywhere but our house. For months the three of us couldn't be left alone together, so I'd be left with Marley while Elliot was in exile in another part of the house, or Marley was put in exile.

Elliot worried himself sick over this intruder for the longest time, but now he tolerates him and even plays with him sometimes. I generally let Elliot think he is in charge, but I have to put him in his place on occasion, especially when he picks on Marley."

"What is your favorite way to bond with your people? Is there a special game you play, or place you like to snuggle?"

Another not so funny quirk is that I am always hungry. I think I have a mutation of the 'I'm full gene' which says "I’m empty'. I have an automated feeder for my 'light' food and my brothers are fed up on a table where I cannot jump (because I am 'gravity challenged') . All this because I topped out above 23 pounds a few years ago and they put me on a diet – how dare them!"

"Anything else you'd like to share?"

"Why do Mom and Dad call me ‘Elephant Toes’? I have tan elephant toenail shaped markings on each toe. :-)

It's been very nice chatting with you Alice! Say Hi to Leo for me. My Mom just loves Maine Coon Cat Nation, keep up the good work and I look forward to your future interviews."

"It's been great getting to know you, Arthur! Thank you for being our Cover Cat for August!"