Online  Adoption Application

The following cat is being cared for in a loving MCR foster home.

Bear with me as this is probably the longest bio I've ever written! Smokey is pretty special so I have a lot to say! Smokey is a real go-getter who knows how to get what she wants! She is calm and sweet, but she will let you know when you're being too slow with the wet food! She is a very smart cat, and she likes you to acknowledge that! She loves to be told what a pretty girl she is! She also likes to be told she is a good girl, even when she isn't really being a very good girl! If you've ever had a purebred Maine Coon then you know what I mean. Most of the time that's a good thing, but not always! Sometimes I call her a bratty girl, but she doesn't seem to care. I've seen other purebreds that fit the bill as well! They march to the beat of their own drums.

Smokey was great with my dog, and for the most part, they ignored each other. I don't know how she would be with a dog that chases her. I think she would probably fight back. It will be very important to follow and monitor proper slow introduction processes.

Smokey came to us extremely malnourished and pregnant. She was two weeks away from having her litter. Those kittens are....you guessed it....the Disney Kittens! Smokey was pregnant with 7 large, healthy kittens yet she only weighed 15 pounds just before they were born. We were really worried about the health of her and the babies due to her very poor condition. We all waited anxiously for her due date. She had them on the exact date she was supposed to and thankfully all the babies were healthy! She'd had a litter before, and we were told she was a great mom. Sure enough, Smokey took care of these babies even better than I expected. I was worried about her not having enough milk! I had been feeding her a high protein diet from the day I got her, including a variety of raw meats. When she had her babies she lost 2 pounds, which was the total weight of the babies. Despite a variety of fresh and plentiful foods, she lost another 2 pounds while nursing. She was down to 11 pounds by that point, and I was really worried about her. Those babies were taking everything from her. However, Smokey's dedication never wavered. I know she will be a dedicated pet for someone too. Just one example of this is how she started to go into labor on the night she was due. I sat up all night with her until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I set up a camera and went to bed. I watched her all through the rest of the night, but she acted like nothing was happening. Like she wasn't even in pre-labor or anything! When I went in there the next morning to sit with her, that's when she went into labor for real. She had paused her labor to wait for me! She felt comfortable with me and needed me there I think. No one was allowed to touch her kittens but me. This lets me know how loyal she is to her person, and I know she will be with you as well. She will be quick to settle into a new home, although she might hide for a bit in the beginning. Just keep talking to her and calling for her and she will come out.

So you may ask why I decided not to adopt her myself. That's a good question, and I did strongly consider it. However, I have 2 cats of my own. One in particular hates most other cats, and just never did warm up to Smokey. The more comfortable Smokey became, the more she would bully that particular cat at times. Not to the point of fighting, but my cat was terrified and would hide all the time. I tell you all this so you know upfront, and do not apply for her if you have a cat in your home that is easily afraid or easy to bully. Smokey is a large girl and doesn't realize her size. She does well with other cats she can't push around. She is gentle with her kittens and has never bullied them. Smokey might be best in a home of her own where she can be the queen of her castle. She likes the full attention of her humans too.

She was starved when she got here and not just for food. She was isolated before and therefore starved for attention and affection as well. She wanted love so badly and didn't know how to show you. I think this is why she feels she needs to do things to get my attention.

One example of this is one night she was sleeping in my bed up between the pillows. I was lying on my side, about to fall asleep. I was holding my phone, and my thumb was sticking out. I guess I wasn't paying her enough attention, so she gently reached out and bit my thumb so hard! It surprised me and it hurt so much! She didn't realize she hurt me and she didn't mean to. It absolutely was not aggression. It was an attempt at getting my attention and she sure did that! For reasons like this, she really shouldn't be in a home with young children or babies at all. This is something I have to strictly adhere to as she can hurt a child, even though she doesn't mean to. This is why I feel it's important for her new adopter to have purebred Maine Coon experience or at least understand that these cats are very different than ordinary cats. I was surprised in many ways since I got her in April. Just watching her and how cool she is made me want her. Purebreds are very different though, and anyone who has had them knows that. I always thought they were just like any other cat, just larger. While that is true, they are also more persistent, bratty, belligerent at times, and pushy. They are too smart for their own good and need attention and stimulation. Playtime is a must to keep them from getting bored.

I say all that not to dissuade you, but to allow you to make an informed decision. I know it all sounds bad, but it really isn't. Smokey is the most lovable, snuggly cat and loves to lay in your lap. She will sit up on tables and such. I've tried teaching her not to but that hasn't worked very well. When she is at a table and you approach her, she will lower her head and present you with her forehead. She wants you to kiss and scratch her head, and nuzzle your forehead to hers. I think this is the highest compliment from her and it's really endearing. She loves to be petted and scratched. She loves to be brushed too. So far she had had what I call micro mats along the sides of her spine. Otherwise, her coat doesn't tend to mat as badly as Maine Coons with longer and fluffier coats. She is putting on weight steadily, and her coat is becoming longer and more healthy than when she got here. She is even starting to get a shine to her coat and that makes me so happy! The light has come back to her eyes and I can tell she feels so much better to have constant food, love, and attention. She is a whole different cat than the one I got in April. It's been a slow but steady process and worth every minute. She really is a delight to have around and will make a wonderful companion to someone who understands her needs and wants. It may take a little time to figure it all out, but I feel you will find the process as worthwhile as I have. She deserves a permanent home of her own where she can continue to blossom.

Smokey is a calm and quiet cat. She isn't picky about food or litter at all. I've used several kinds of litter including clumping, nonclumping, and even Catalyst Litter, which is a sawdust type litter. She is neat and tidy with her litter box and grooming. She is currently eating Fancy Feast wet food and Purina Pro Plan dry food. I haven't had any problems switching foods though, and you'll be able to put her on what you'd like to feed as long as you blend the new food in slowly. She likes raw foods as well, especially beef liver and hamburger. I cut those things up into smaller pieces, especially the burger. She has taken large chunks of raw hamburger and put them next to my pillow and in my shoe. See? Bratty!! Don't say I didn't warn you HAHA! You don't have to feed her any of that, it's just something I found out when trying to help her gain weight. At times she gets an upset tummy and may vomit. I think we have gotten past this though. It seemed like it was more stress related than anything. I would just give her a bit of FortiFlora on some wet food and it calmed her belly.

Many purebred Maine Coons have a genetic predisposition to HCM, which is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. We sent off samples to NCSU to test for this gene, and Smokey is negative! We were thrilled with this news. Smokey had a lot to overcome in her short 3 years, and we wanted to make sure she didn't have any genetic issues as well. Smokey now has the all-clear to head off into the sunset with her new mom or dad. I think you'll love her as much as I do, quirks and all!

Smokey's adoption fee is $275.00. She has been spayed, had a wellness exam, FVRCP Vaccine, Rabies Vaccine, dewormed, microchipped, and given a flea treatment.

We would prefer Smokey be adopted within 7 hours of Mount Lookout, WV. However, each application will be looked at on a case-by-case basis if you are willing to pick the cat up.

For more information, please contact us at: adoption@mainecoonrescue.net.
DOB: 09/02/2020
Location: Mount Lookout, WV 26678.
Available for Adoption: NOW

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