He’s fitting in quite nicely. I have him locked in Tunch’s bedroom like a Gitmo prisoner for now until he gets fixed Tuesday morning. Or maybe not, because swear to FSM, as I wrote that last sentence, this happened:
Apparently he decided he wanted to hang out in the home office with me.
This is a no bullshit cat. He has yet to vocalize other than a few pathetic meows on the way home from the shelter, and I have yet to hear him purr, but this cat is loaded with personality and completely unafraid of anything, especially people. I went in earlier this afternoon to lie down for a nap in his room, and said nothing, and within thirty seconds he had jumped up on the bed and was loving all over me. At one point, he lay down with his butt on my shoulder and his chest and front paws on my chest, and just sat there letting me pet him for a solid 20 minutes. I honestly have never seen any animal come out of its shell this quickly. Well, maybe Rosie, who never understood the concept of modesty or shell to begin with.
This guy is going to be a riot, I can tell. I have a feeling that this guy is going to follow me from room to room and basically demand attention from me.
Which is exactly what I wanted.
Tom Levenson
Dogs have masters. Da Boss has a Cole-slave.
Violet
What a cutie! Love the video.
I bet that’s how he got the name Bugger. He bugged people, as in pestered them.
Medicine Man
He can see the “sucker” tattoo that Tunch put on you.
I’m happy for you, John Cole.
jayjaybear
@Tom Levenson: Hand-picked him, even.
Jason P.
I think Boss is gonna make quick work of that plastic gate
Violet
Boss’s eyes are really amazing.
celticdragonchick
I am so glad that the new Kitteh is making you happy. I was upset when I read how Tunch was lost, and I had to go pet our two furry kitty girls to calm down myself.
Keith G
@Jason P.: Right! WTF? Just what is that gate designed to stop. A drunk toddler?
Aji
@jayjaybear: Paw-picked. With that extra toe, to be precise.
Good job, Cole. Happy for ya.
Mnemosyne
Since he’s a Maine Coon, he’s not going to sound like you’d expect a cat that size to sound. Keaton chirps and mews like a kitten (we call him “Mr. Meeps” as one of his many nicknames), while Charlotte (who is half his size) produces full-throated meows.
He’s also probably not used to having to vocalize to communicate since I’m guessing his crappy previous owners didn’t spend much time talking to him, but once he figures that out, you’ll have a hard time getting him to shut up.
kc
I am happy for you. And for Boss – he sure lucked out!
Schlemizel
@Medicine Man:
I thought that about Rosie. Like the old day hobos that had secret markings to let other hobos know where to avoid & where they might pick up a meal I bet Tunch marked Cole & every stray animal in West VA knows about the big softie
Mnemosyne
@Keith G:
Yeah, I think Cole was used to Tunch’s jump clearance height, which was probably way lower than that of Boss, a less fat cat half Tunch’s age.
I predict a photo of Boss on top of the refrigerator within about 2 weeks of his being released from quarantine.
wuzzat
Aww, yay! Looks like Boss is gonna fit right in.
RobertDSC-iPhone 4
Kick ass Bossman!
Schlemizel
@Mnemosyne:
Gad, my bro & sil have a pair of tonganese that will not shut up! They make more noises of different kinds than any cat I have ever seen. When they get to it it is impossible to hold a phone conversation with my brother.
Pogonip
Why does he look so scruffy? Did you have to cut tangles out of his fur?
I am glad you two are happy together. Somewhere, Tunch is purring.
Mnemosyne
@Schlemizel:
Oh, yeah, anything in the Siamese family (which the Tonkinese are) will be super-chatty. My mom’s cat used to walk around “talking” to himself just for the heck of it.
LesGS
You could already be aware of this possibility, John, and it may not come to pass, but don’t be mad at him if he marks his newly acquired territory by peeing on something (such as the side of a couch). As a whole tom, it could very well be in his repertoire of behaviors. Even after you get him snipped, it may have become a habit, and you’ll have to work a bit to break him of it.
ETA: My 26 pound (not obese!) Maine Coone/Ragdoll mix has a tiny sweet little mew.
John Cole
@Pogonip: His coat is a bloody mess. I think they didn’t know how to deal with him, and overbrushed in parts and then let mats form elsewhere. He’s going to a groomer after he has his boys removed.
schrodinger's cat
That puny gate is not going to keep any self respecting kitteh hemmed in. My boss cat used to jump from the counter to the top of the cabinet, to be near ceiling cat and watch his kingdom from up above.
cbear
@Mnemosyne: I predict that cat attains max velocity and jumps OVER the refrigerator the first time Cole drunkenly stumbles into the kitchen, trips over the mustard jar, and does a header into the stove.
John Cole
@LesGS: This is why he is locked in the room, and I have this coming tomorrow morning.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WHUOEI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Violet
@John Cole: When is he going for his surgery?
TaMara (BHF)
Waited all day for that update and I was not disappointed. Happy for the 4 of you. And spirit Tunch, of course.
Keith
@Mnemosyne: I’ve got a gray cat…he has that feral-looking fur (although years of fish have made it silkier and a little purple) but these big eyes and a fat face. But he’s strange – he keeps his tail down and flicks the tip left and right, and his meows are short little sounds like a baby crying (“Weh! Weh! Weh?”). Only cat I’ve ever had that sounds like that. It’s neat, but weird.
asiangrrlMN
This is so awesome, Cole. You and Boss were meant for each other, and I have no doubt that Tunchie had a paw in this. It makes me smile to see Boss fitting in so well and becoming your new bestest buddy. I look forward to the next Boss cam!
LesGS
@John Cole: Awesome, John. You’re an exquisitely trained kitty-slave. :D
A Ghost To Most
Tunch may have had white-mans disease ( no vertical leap), but I doubt Boss is so afflicted.
You’re gonna need a bigger barrier.
ruemara
My rag and my mini panther chirp, silent meow and yip in the weirdest way for vocalizations. You may never hear a serious meow unless things are JUST NOT RIGHT, as when mini-panther was upset he had to stay in my bedroom while the painters were downstairs with all the doors open. But the constant loving on you is permanent.
Yatsuno
@asiangrrlMN: Oh good. I was planning on alerting you when i got home but it’s just so good seeing you here all on your own. I missed your wit and wisdom round these parts, even if I do talk to you every day.
Still Hemingway. Boss Hemingway. :)
Sandra
You really are a mensch.
John O
Thanks, John, and more happy thoughts your way!
My Siamese has a vocal range that is just outstanding. Everything from exorcist-like low moans/creepy growls to squeaky-high demands of yours truly. He’s 14 now, and sometimes I worry about him despite his not having shown any serious aging effects.
And he’s another one that is pretty much where I am 100% of the time, and if I’m horizontal that includes somewhere on top of me, usually as close to my face as I’ll allow him to get.
He knows you need him, John Cole.
tejanarusa
Great to see Boss fitting in! Sleeping on your chest already! Wow.
Keith G
@John Cole:
Feliway Plug-In Diffuser with bottle, with 48 Milliliters (of tequila?)
Well, hopefully that will reduce Boss’s natural inclination to spray everything in sight. Can’t wait for the results show.
JPL
One of my sons was a climber and for safety purposes was out of his crib at nine months. We emptied his room except for a mattress (prison) and replaced the door with plywood that only went two thirds up and then, attached it to the hinges. That way he could see out the top. If you expect to wait until Tuesday, you should do the same thing because that gate is useless.
asiangrrlMN
@Yatsuno: I’m giving you the ::side eye:: for missing one of the gazillion updates yesterday! You’re slacking on your husbandly duties, Yutsy.
I’m glad to be back. I’ve missed this place.
strandedvandal
Glad Boss found you. Be happy and all that shit.
Mnemosyne
Also, too, I had to giggle when I re-watched the video, because our cats also do the “stop and stretch” on their way over to be petted, like they’re pretending that they’re totally coming over of their own accord and not because you called them.
I have also observed them run to the front door when they hear G coming in, and then turn and start sauntering away so they can pretend they just happened to be walking near the door when he comes in. Oh hai! I didn’t know you were home. Come pet me.
quannlace
‘Hot down, Summer in the city…back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Cool cat…looking for a kitty.
johio
@John Cole: I have friends with Maine coons that they shave every summer. Groomer leaves a ruff so they look like lions. Very good looking. And much cooler.
Pogonip
@John Cole: Aww. Poor guy.
Has he been spraying?
Michele C.
@Violet: My big boy, who looks a lot like Tunch actually, was originally named Siphon, and his foster mom shoved him at me at an adoption event where he adorably fell asleep in my arms. It only dawned on me a while after I adopted him that it might have been that he siphoned off time, love, attention, etc., all the time. I think you might be right about “Bugger.” He hilariously also has never meowed but chirps and trills and beeps and says all kinds of things.
I’m just so happy for you, @John Cole, and Boss!
MomSense
@TaMara (BHF):
I had my 9 year old come in and ask me when we were going to get an update on John’s new coon cat! I scoffed when one of the FPers said this was a family blog but now it certainly is–in my family anyway.
@John Cole:
Don’t be too hard on the previous owners about the coat. It is a constant battle for me because my coon cat is constantly burrowing in the woods and coming home with his fur full of dirt, twigs, and leaves. And then there are the “pantaloons” as we call them. He has this very fluffy long hair around his belly and legs that has to be trimmed regularly because things stick to it and he hates to have me brush him.
We had one summer when he was so mad at me for brushing him that he refused to come in the house for several days and would just chirp at me from the back yard. When he finally came in he had dreadlocks.
Johannes
Such a lovely boy; I’m very happy for you both.
spudgun
Aww, he’s a gooood boy!! Glad he’s settling in so quickly. And I love the name Boss – excellent.
RoonieRoo
Thank you for that video! He has that sweepy tail swing of a happy cat. I bet he’ll start vocalizing soon.
Hungry Joe
I’d been reluctant to post this, but now that Boss has landed I can brag that last week we rescued a seven-week-old calico. So far she shows no signs of understanding what happens when she walks across/pounces on a keyboard.
moonbat
Maine Coons tend to be chirpy cats rather than meowers, but he looks like a sweetie. I am glad you found a new feline friend.
LesGS
@johio: We had ours shaved in a “lion-cut” two weeks ago. Just leaves his ruff and the end of his tail. Otherwise he spends the summer sprawled on the tile floor of the bathroom to try to stay cool.
quannlace
I love that little head-shake he gives at the end, as if to say, “Okay, enough mushy stuff.’
sparrow
@ruemara: I never heard of “mini panthers” for black cats before, but google set me straight. I like it! I’ve always loved black cats since my first cat had two black kittens. How people can still be superstitious about them is beyond me.
Violet
@Yatsuno:
Papa Boss.
22over7
John, if the bossman is getting snipped on Tuesday, you should ask the vet for a lion cut while he’s at it. My tortie and I have had a much happier summer without all the fur!
John Cole
@Hungry Joe: WOO!
Mnemosyne
@Hungry Joe:
Of course she understands what happens — you pay attention to her! Duh! ;-)
tesslibrarian
Our big shorthair boy has a rumble that makes you think he’s Barry White, but his meow is a high-pitched “We-ooo” noise that is hilarious.
@Mnemosyne:My first cat was a Maine Coon mix, a long 16lb. fluffy girl, that also spoke in “MEEP!” Good heavens but I love that sound.
22over7
John, if the Bossman is getting snipped on Tuesday anyway, ask the vet for a lion cut while he/she’s at it. My ornery tortie, Mugsy, is much happier this summer without the fur and mats. And I’m happier with fewer hairballs to clean up.
The vet might also have some suggestions for getting the Boss sleek and shiny, as he damn well should be.
jayjaybear
@sparrow: Usually specifically for Bombay cats, which were bred to look like miniature panthers.
Mj_Oregon
@John Cole: Good luck with the Feliway, John. We tried that with our Buster who was already fixed but was extremely territorial. He resented all the outdoor rescues and would spray at the doorways and under any window he could hear/smell them from. The Feliway diffuser just told him there was another NEW cat around so he sprayed it too. I ended up in a wary truce with him over it all eventually. In any case, if he’s not too territorial he’ll probably not bother with spraying either now or after his surgery – he’ll smell better after the surgery though! Intact male urine is pretty pungent.
I predict in six months he’ll look like a show cat and have you wrapped around that extra toe right well. BTW – try to get him used to you handling those front paws. Polydactyls can have problems with those extra claws tightly curling around and growing into the pad. I had to keep Polly’s claws clipped because of that.
He’s a keeper!
geg6
Very sweet, Cole. And I say this as a non-cat person.
Personally, I’ve been feeling guilty for not giving any Koda updates. I’m going to email some recent pics to Anne Laurie so everyone can see how she’s doing. She is getting sooooo big and filling out as only Labs can do. She and Otis are pretty good buddies now and they gang up on the both of us for treats and walks. She’s a lover and a licker, always licking our hands and feet and literally hugging us and her favorite toys. Many thanks to Balloon Juice for the joy she brings us.
Gex
I believe that you will be a Maine Coon addict after this cat. Huge personalities. Quirky. And sweet. The best cats. I’m so pleased for you both. I’m still crying with sadness and joy every time I read a new cat post.
John Cole
@quannlace:
I like that I can already read him a little already and knew to stop petting immediately when he did it.
SuperHrefna
I just found out yesterday that I’m getting a Maine coon kitten in a couple of months – not sure which one yet, I’m getting the “leftover” kitten from a litter, and a little boy has yet to choose which of the two unattached kittens he prefers, but they are all adorable so I’m sure I will be very happy with my new BFF. I’ve never had a longhair before so this is going to be an adventure, luckily I have lots of grooming tools.
JMS
Haven’t had to name a cat for a while, but we’ve never been able to stick with one name for a cat, and certainly the first name we started with almost never got used. Hence Bustard became Boy (that’s Mr. Boy to you), and Percy became Little/Skittle, and Tasha became Catty/Catbutt. Catbutt (a beautiful, but rather overweight lady of a certain age), looks a little like John’s new cat–pretty, but quite a lot of hair on that cat.
SuperHrefna
@John Cole: he seems really bonded to you already, I was so impressed to see him come right out to greet you after such a short time in your home. He’s absolutely gorgeous, and I’m sure he’ll have you fully trained in no time.
ranchandsyrup
He knows you need him. Our old neighbor had one of their dogs pass away and one of our dogs would burrow under the fence or get out somehow and go and sit on our neighbor’s lap. They still had another dog but she would go over there every day. We tried to give her to them after a while but she’s still with us.
I’m rambling but bottom line is that I’m stoked for you guys.
burnspbesq
@Pogonip:
Of course Tunch is purring; he’s in heaven, and Molly Ivins and General Stuck are hand-feeding him sushi-grade fresh tuna.
gbear
My longhair tort Halley matts up pretty badly around her hind quarters and butt. I was using a pad brush but my vet recommended that I use a metal tined comb instead and showed me how to use it at the vet visit. They let me use the room for an extra 15 minutes after the appointment and I got all of the matts combed out without too much of a fight (she’s very passive at the vet’s office).
At home, it’s a different matter. She HATES being so much as touched by any kind of comb or brush (I have a furminator and a Kong Zoom Groom. Hates them both), but it has to be done on occasion. The comb still works a lot better than the brush even though she doesn’t like it.
newdealfarmgrrrlll
usually i lurk, but gotta appear to join the congrats. Boss is a darling, oops, big handsome guy! (Our late great Maine Coon got offended at being called “cute”, “darling”, etc but would preen at “handsome guy.”)
opiejeanne
@MomSense: Pantaloons! Ours didn’t have very prominent ones, but our daughter’s MC has very fluffy ones and needs a regular “panty trim” or else the poo gets everywhere.
Keith G
BTW – Why don’t the rescue shelters in WV neuter the critters? Here in Houston, all animals are snipped before adoption is possible.
ellie
Yay kitty!
Darkrose
Maine Coons apparently have the most pathetic meows ever, especially considering their size.
Wolfdaughter
@johio: I have friends with two Maine Coon mixes, one male, one female. The male’s meow is teeny and high-pitched. The female’s has a little more body to it.
The male’s fir got all matted on his belly because he wouldn’t allow them to groom it, although he tolerated grooming elsewhere on his body. They got him the lion cut a couple of months ago and he is so cute. He looks raffish.
My little boy kitty is an orange tabby with white on his face and belly, and white mittens and boots. His tabby markings aren’t very distinct except for the “M” on his forehead. His fir got all matted on his rear so I got him a lion cut about a month ago. With his coloring, he really does look like a miniature lion from the rear, (he’s absolutely darling) and here in Tucson, the lion cut is really a favor to cats during the hot months.
Marmalade (because of his orange coloring) was a stray who took up with the friends mentioned above but they also have two other felines and all 4 of them have significant health issues so my friends spend a young fortune on vet bills. They just didn’t feel they could take on another feline so I adopted him. He spent the first 3 weeks in the guest bedroom cowering under the bed. I just fed him and gave him a litter box and didn’t try to make him interact.
After 3 weeks I moved his food into a little alcove right off the dining room, and he felt safe enough to venture forth. After a couple of days he started sidling closer, and then he allowed me to pet him just a little. After a few days of that, he decided that I was OK, and he’s been the most affectionate little beast since then.
Unfortunately, he hides when people come to visit. I’m hoping that he will decide that my close friends are safe for him, but it will take a while.
Southern Beale
Boss is a dead-ringer for our Quinn, who is a Maine Coon and therefore ginormous. Also has nasty skin allergies, which I’ve spend a fortune trying to deal with over the years. Atopica put it under control but he had a recent flare-up that caused all sorts of expensive problems.
Southern Beale
Boss is a dead-ringer for our Quinn, who is a Maine Coon and therefore ginormous. Also has nasty skin allergies, which I’ve spend a fortune trying to deal with over the years. Atopica put it under control but he had a recent flare-up that caused all sorts of expensive problems.
lawnorder
I was going to recommend a new kittie, in the other thread. It does help a lot. You will never love them quite the same, but kitty will not let you grieve alone. And will not let you grieve, period. After all he needs food and petting and all things cats need from us cat butlers. Hop to it and know Tunch is approving from where he is and whispering into kitty’s ears “I told you John was a great cat pet!”
SG
Planting himself on your chest, rubbing his face all over you, Boss is saying one thing, loud and clear: “Mine!”
MattR
Despite all the other good boss references the past couple days, what keeps running through my head is this Run DMC lyric from Hit It Run.
Tell your bunch I’m boss. I run this town
Sounds like John has already gotten the message and I am sure Tunch trained the other two residents to be properly deferential to all members of his species.
Gig
Look for a kind of cat grooming comb with rotating teeth. the teeth each spin freely in their sockets and reduce pulling when you are getting out tangles so it doesn’t hurt as soon. this means when it pulls you can stop fast enough to not hurt and the cat won’t get mad and run away. It also untangles better than any other kind of comb I’ve ever tried to use. google will turn it up. I found my first one about 30 years ago at a cat show when I had a show quality angora. angora is one of the assumed ancestor breeds of MC’s. Story was they were brought back to New England area by Yankee sailors and mixed long hair with regular American cats. Sailors collected foreign things, needed cats for ship rat control etc. I promise this style comb hurts long hairs less. After tangles out you can furminate but if you try fulminator on mats you may make him hate grooming. It still helps if you pay close attention while combing. For bad mats you may need to tease out the outer edges of the mat, then a little more, then more. Don’t try to start next to the skin and pull out the whole thing in one go. Poor baby. Matt’s hurt.