Alright, let me walk you through how I ended up with my big ginger goofball. For years, I’d been kinda fascinated by Maine Coons. You see pictures, right? These majestic, fluffy giants. And the red tabby ones, well, they just looked so warm and friendly, like little lions for your living room. It wasn’t a quick decision, mind you. I did a lot of just looking, reading up online, that sort of thing.
Getting Serious
Then, maybe a couple of years back, I decided it was time. My old cat had passed a while before, and the house felt too quiet. So, the actual search began. And let me tell you, finding a specific kind of cat, like a red tabby Maine Coon, isn’t like picking up groceries. I first checked out local shelters, always worth a shot, you know? Saw lots of lovely cats, but no Maine Coons, let alone a red one.
So, I started looking into breeders. This part took ages. I wasn’t about to rush it. I wanted to find someone reputable, someone who cared about the cats more than the cash. Had a few phone calls, exchanged some emails. Some felt a bit off, others just didn’t have kittens or expected litters soon. Patience, right? That’s the key. There were a couple of moments I nearly went for a different color, saw some beautiful silvers and blacks, but I had that red tabby image stuck in my head.
Finding Leo
Finally, I got a lead. Someone knew someone, you know how it goes. Found a small cattery, more like a family who just loved Maine Coons, a few hours’ drive away. They had a litter, and yes, there was a little red tabby male. I arranged a visit. Honestly, I tried to keep my expectations in check. Went there, saw the mom, saw the setup – all clean, cats looked happy. And then I saw him. He wasn’t majestic yet, just a clumsy ball of orange fluff with huge paws. He sort of tumbled over his own feet trying to chase a dust bunny. That was pretty much it for me. Decision made.
Had to wait a few more weeks until he was old enough to leave his mom. Longest weeks ever, I swear. Got everything ready at home:
- Scratching posts (big ones!)
- Food and water bowls (heavy ceramic, he’d knock over anything else)
- Litter box (also big)
- Some toys
- A ridiculously soft bed he ignored for the first month
Bringing the Big Guy Home
The drive home was… interesting. He meowed a bit, then mostly just stared out of the carrier with wide eyes. Got him inside, opened the carrier door, and just let him be. He took his sweet time coming out. First hour was mostly spent under the sofa. Then, bit by bit, he started exploring. Sniffing everything. Everything. It took a good few days for him to really seem comfortable, to stop jumping at every little noise.
Living with a Red Tabby Maine Coon – well, Leo, as I named him – has been an adventure. He’s huge now, easily lives up to the breed’s reputation. The fluff is everywhere, grooming is a must, learned that the hard way. He’s got that typical Maine Coon chirp, hardly ever does a proper meow. And he’s clumsy but thinks he’s graceful. Loves water, weirdly enough. Always trying to stick his head under the faucet. He follows me around the house like a shadow. Not really a lap cat, too big maybe, but he always has to be in the same room.
He definitely has that ‘gentle giant’ thing going on. Despite his size, he’s incredibly patient, even when the neighbor’s kid gets a bit too grabby. The red tabby coat is gorgeous, especially in the sun. Lots of different shades of orange and cream. So yeah, that’s the story. Took time, took patience, but totally worth it. He’s a big, fluffy, slightly dopey part of the family now.
