We've Chosen Our Kitten!

**Stacey** · 18th March 2011, 02:28 AM

Hey kitty lovers

I posted on this forum ages ago because I'd been reading a lot of the threads. We decided months and months ago that we were going to get a Maine Coon when we moved in together. We (me and my boyfriend, Dave) are both animal lovers and Dave, who is not normally a cat lover, really fell for the Maine Coon breed.

We found our breeder way back before Christmas. She's lovely and is really dedicated to her animals which we felt was really important. She's been answering our questions and giving us regular updates since before the kittens even arrived! She had two litters at the end of January and we went a week ago to choose/have a look at them all. There were ten in total. (I know lots of breeders don't let you meet the kittens until after they've had their first vaccinations but she said as we didn't have any other pets it was okay).

We had an awesome time meeting them, their mums, their dads and all the other Maine Coons in the family.

We settled on a little red tabby boy and he's going to be called Teddy.

We're not moving in together until mid-May so he'll be with the breeder for an extra couple of weeks but that's okay because we know she's taking good care of him. We just want him with us asap and think about him constantly! It's crazy!

Anyway, my posts aren't normally this crazy but I'm just so excited and I really hope some of you on here can help me out as we go through the process of preparing for his arrival and with any problems we may have.

I don't have any uploadable photos just now - they're all on my camera! We're going to see him again in a couple of weeks

Does anyone have any top tips for first time MC owners?

**RoxyKitten** · 18th March 2011, 02:36 AM

Hi Stacey,

He sounds lovely, can't wait to see some nice pictures in the future!

I am going to be a MC pawrent really soon, we are going to collect our first kitten on Sunday and I absolutely can't wait! I am bursting with excitement! It's such a lovely feeling, the choosing your lovely kitten and then the anticipation of finally getting it home. Enjoy!

**Stacey** · 18th March 2011, 02:40 AM

I'll try to get some up soon

the only ones we really have of him are quite dark because Dave didn't want to blind him with the flash!

I hope you have a lovely time bringing yours home! I'm so jealous :P

I love the way you said she's your first kitten...I've got a feeling Teddy could be the first of many for us!

We were planning on getting two but Dave was a bit worried about transport etc. because we don't have a car at the moment.

**jckkerrison** · 18th March 2011, 09:20 AM

Hi Stacey,just caught up on this post, read "why I chose a maine coon" thread first but I did comment on there that you will not stay at one MC for long,having just read this posting I am even more sure.I always had my MC's in singles but the last time due to one introducing himself & saying he wanted to come with us as well we ended up having two together & it has been brilliant,wish I had done it before,don't know that I would ever have been brave enough to go for three at once as another forum memeber has,but....!!!

**Peter Galbavy** · 18th March 2011, 10:25 AM

Congrats and to echo others - pick a second one too! They'll love eah others company when you are both out and two are always better than one

Or three in my case.

debbie560 · 18th March 2011, 11:39 AM

Congratulations, hope to see photos of your baby soon, I bet you are very excited... I have had to put going for my New Abyssinian on hold because of work commitments and it totally KILLING ME!! LOL

**WoodsideMaineCoons** · 18th March 2011, 12:08 PM

Congrats on picking out your new baby - look forward to updates and photos when he arrives

Louise

**Stacey** · 18th March 2011, 02:14 PM

Thanks everyone

We were planning on getting two, as I said. I had the money saved and everything so that wasn't the issue but when the kittens were born Dave got really worried about having two, especially when they grow up and are quite big. I think the main issue for him is that his dad is allergic and his dog hates cats so we could never bring them to his house (in Aberdeen) over Christmas or things like that. We're thinking of just having Christmas in Glasgow with Teddy this year. My family's pretty dysfunctional so Christmas is pretty awful for me usually! If we were going to go home, I'd have to bring Teddy on the boat with me and he was worried about how I'd cope with two plus my luggage on my own.

I graduate in a year and Dave graduates in two years. The plan is to get another kitten before we start working full time so that Teddy doesn't get lonely.

Next year I'll only be in university two or three hours a week (it's a joke! I do have a lot of work to do outside of that but I'll do it at home and Teddy can help me!).

In the litter, Teddy is the biggest of the four and probably the bossiest and most confident (whilst still being very protective of his only little sister!) so hopefully he'll hold on to these traits and being by himself for a year or so won't be too much of a problem.

Personally, I'd have two tomorrow! The little silver girl in the same litter is adorable!

Also, I was going to ask - we're stuck without a car so we're hoping to order some of the things for Teddy (carrier, litter tray, scratch post etc.) online...does anyone know of the best website to order from? Or even have any suggestions?

**Joolz** · 18th March 2011, 02:29 PM

I get most of my cat stuff online just because its easier to compare prices of the food and litter, and there is a lot more choice when it comes to all the other paraphernalia one ends up with - the amount of stuff we have gathered in a few months is unbelievable, just like having twin babies! I have discovered that prices vary hugely but so far I have used, Zooplus Pet Supplies, Pet Food, Dog Food, Cat Food and Pet Accessories at Zooplus ; pet planet Pet Supplies Store: Pet Planet, the UK's #1 Pet Store and pets at home Pets at Home - where pets come first and I have also checked out amazon.

Hope that helps and enjoy your kitten or two!