|
Maine Coon- the biggest of domestic cats
despite its formidable looks is a gentle,
balanced creature with an owlish look. It
has a mild temperament, an emotional nature,
and exceptional intelligence. Its behaviour
resembles that of a dog. It always
accompanies the owner, no matter if it is to
the kitchen, bathroom, bed or armchair. It’s
a wonderful, amiable companion, very patient
and devoted to the owner.
The cats of this breed are perfect hunters;
they won’t leave any mosquito, mouse or bird
flock alone. To hunt there pray, they won’t
hesitate to go in the water. The noises they
make are astounding and invariably funny,
their diversity and intensity amaze everyone.
Maine coon cats talk to their owners and for
that and for being so exceptional they are
loved so much.
My adventure with Maine Coon cats started in
a funny way. A couple of years ago I didn’t
even think of having a cat, any cat. I was
one of those people who love cats but they
are not aware of it yet. I loved dogs for
their fidelity, unlimited obedience and
great love for human beings. I perceived
cats as defiant but beautiful and mysterious
creatures with autistic features. Everything
changed on a September day during a cat
exhibition in Wroc³aw.
It was a rainy Saturday, not a very nice day.
On entering the exhibition you smelled wet
clothes mixed with a scent of powder. The
impression was electrifying but overwhelming
at the same time. There was a crowd of
people everywhere moving slowly in a queue
along the cages. Tired cats were lying
behind the curtains, paying no attention to
the people. Only kittens were madly chasing
the feather or a ball on a string
demonstrating their flexibility,
coordination, grace and reflex. Avoiding the
queue I was collecting business cards placed
on the cages, more out of curiosity than
real necessity. Semi-longhair cats were
beautiful and fascinating but nothing more.
Here we come to the events that changed my
life, however banal and pathetic it may
sound.
My friend Ula and my daughter Alina liked
all the cats at the exhibition; each of them
was simply marvelous. Our visit was drawing
to an end; there were only a couple of cages
left to see. On one of them I noticed a
beautiful cat. Its sphinx position and
absent look made him look like a sculpture.
This cat was called Esus and he was out of
my reach because of its price.
Ula and I are people who have good social
skills. Non-committal conversation with a
breeder, started more out of curiosity than
a need to buy a cat, changed suddenly into
something more. We saw the siblings of Esus
playing in the cage and after asking half a
dozen questions it was done. Ula took out
the money and paid the deposit. We bought
Esk’s brother called Eber. Since that moment
nothing has been the same.
I was supposed to pick Elber the next day.
Going home I started thinking what I had
done. I was terrified by my own recklessness
and its consequences. I’ve never had a cat
before. My child, on the contrary was
ecstatically happy, repeating, “we are going
to have a cat, we are going to have a cat”
like a mantra. Only Ula was looking at me
with a faint smile. It all happened because
of her- I was thinking. We are both old and
stupid but it’s me who bought a cat. I’m
very grateful to her now- thanks Ula!!
| 
