<p>Only because we just got a 10-month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel right before Thanksgiving, I suspected there was a new pet in the family based on your thread title!</p>
<p>If we are throwing out names, then post #2 started it with: Destiny!</p>
<p>Awww , teriwtt…did you ever see them depicted on Little Britain USA ? Typical raunchy , British humor , but everytime I see one, that show comes to mind</p>
<p>What kinds of health issues does a Maine Coon typically encounter, lje62? I’ve often thought that I’d love one of those (also a ragdoll—love those massive, affectionate breeds). Congrats on the new addition! Teriwtt, I once thought I’d love a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But then I read that they only typically live 7 to 10 yrs., and thought, “yikes!” Heart issues seem to plague this breed. We’d just be reaching our stride in the people/pet relationship, when suddenly it would be time to say goodbye. I don’t think I could handle that. But, congrats to you too, for your new (and undoubtedly adorable) addition.</p>
<p>poetsheart, as a “mom” of two Ragdolls, just want to endorse this breed. They are real sweethearts–“puppycats” that like to hang out with people and are gentle and docile. One of my boys is usually on my desk while I’m at the computer, the other curled up in the nearby easy chair. (Sometimes I’ll look up and they’ll have switched spots without my noticing–apparently they have some kind of schedule in place!) And those big blue eyes will melt your heart.</p>
<p>I also have a neighborhood 'coon cat that makes rounds, although to me, it seems he is always here. He is really a she, but she is so huge, I still call him he. He thinks he is the boss of my yard, and I often run from him. I once tired to…shoo him away with my foot, and he grabbed my leg with his paws and bit me. I am not sure if it’s true, or my fantasy, but I THINK I sprayed him with a hose, and he opened his mouth , and drank. He sometimes especially sleeps on his back, belly up, with no fear!</p>
<p>My D thinks he’s cute, though.</p>
<p>Maine Coons have had a lot of heart issues as well as cancers. The one I have know is my longest living at age 10. I have had cancer with 4 of mine, heart attacks with two and one had a massive stroke. Not a great track record .They are awesome cats , but they are overbreeding them and running out of clean breeding stock. My mother has had three , all of whom had heart problems. Two she had to euthanize and one died in her sleep. All devastating to my elderly mother</p>
<p>My daughter’s Maine Coon had some sort of neurological disorder that caused her to lose her balance and have occasional seizures. It was really bad for several months, then basically passed without any particular effective treatment.</p>
<p>My first reaction to the title of the thread was to think that one of your kids had eloped!</p>
<p>Congrats on the new kitty!</p>