Gratuitous cat pics - new and improved!

[SteveC]

As requested by Mrs Ping (although I have intended to post some pics anyway) meet (yet another?) Sam:
He is a rescue, having been involved in a court case which took two years to resolve. He ended up being the longest serving feline resident in the shelter that anyone can remember. Also due to the court case, he's had to have a new name. We were told that the previous owners were keeping him in a crate in their kitchen, intending to breed from him. It is apparently very rare for the shelter to have pedigree cats. He is a Maine Coon (not that we have the paperwork to prove it). Some of you may remember we had a couple previously, but they died about seven and eight years ago. We have been cat-less for about five years.
He was a bit nervous when he arrived, but did explore his new surroundings.

Sam from the front by Steve Cunio, on Flickr

Sam exploring by Steve Cunio, on Flickr
He has looked outside, but not actually gone through the door yet (he has never been outdoors in his life, so we are taking things slowly)

Looking outside by Steve Cunio, on Flickr
He's probably never seen a TV before either, certainly not for two years.

Watching TV by Steve Cunio, on Flickr
But he is learning to relax.

Laptop by Steve Cunio, on Flickr

Sam asleep by Steve Cunio, on Flickr

Relaxed by Steve Cunio, on Flickr
And just to show how big he is (he's just over 5kg and there's no fat on him).

Too big for the chair by Steve Cunio, on Flickr

[Mrs Pingu]

Aw, he's lovely! Court case sounds a bit dodgy.

[Kim]

Some excellent floof there 

[cycleman]

I believe that Maine coons are one of the few cat breeds that like water. A very fine looking feline 🐈 😍

[SteveC]

Maine Coons don’t actively seek out water like Turkish Vans who will even swim.
The Coons have a double coat, with a waterproof outer layer and a thick inner insulation. Sam is in his summer coat at the moment so the inner layer is match reduced.
Our old pair would happily go out in the rain. They just don’t seem to notice the wet.

[mrcharly-YHT]

I would love to have a maine coon.

You are doing very well getting him so settled so quickly.

(instead I have an insane tiny tortie, who likes nothing better than sitting out in long grass in the rain)

Did once own a York Black Cat (while they aren't a breed, they do seem to be common in York) who swam voluntarily. Sometimes to hunt (ducks!) and sometimes just to get on/off the barge.

[Kim]

My theory is that cats - much like humans - like water when it's on their own terms.  So if they're going fishing or playing with a running tap or pretending that they meant to do that after falling in the bath, it's all fine.  But if it's raining when they want to go outside or you try to wash them or something, it's the worst thing ever.

Unlike humans, long hair makes it easier for cats to ignore rain.

[TimO]

He does look like a big fluffy, and very relaxed, cat.

I think long haired cats are a bit more work than a random domestic short-hair, since they do need more brushing. Kai wasn't keen on brushing, so I didn't do it a lot, and ultimately he wasn't keen on living here at all, so that became a mote point.

(He must be quite elderly now, but the neighbours who he adopted have since moved, so I don't know how well he's doing).

[JonBuoy]

These are my sister's cats.  Meercat (with the eyebrows) looks a bit drawn but he has not been well.  Fortunately he seems to be doing much better than expected    His sister Blackie (the erm black one) looks on in a concerned manner.



The photo reminded me of something and it took a while to work out what it was.  Is it just me or are they doing an uncannily good job of replicating the positions and facial expressions in American Gothic?

[Mrs Pingu]

Gosh, it's probably a trick of perspective or something but Meercat's eyes look really widely spaced.

[L CC]

Is it just me or are they doing an uncannily good job of replicating the positions and facial expressions in American Gothic?

It's not just you.

[Kim]

Gosh, it's probably a trick of perspective or something but Meercat's eyes look really widely spaced.

I can't unsee Benedict Cumberbatch.

[Jaded]

This is the glorious Khan. He's visited us several times, learning his new, wider domain. Our Effie is his sister.

[Jaded]

And he has been back...

Needs to concentrate on the rabbits though.

[SoreTween]

He's fabulous.

[Jurek]

And he has been back...

Needs to concentrate on the rabbits though.

Excellent image.
What?
Me?

[L CC]

Princely Timothée Chatlamet