Maine Coon enthusiast Annewieke lives with six males – her husband, two sons, and the three tomcats, Zuko, Pablo, and Loki. She tells us why Maine Coons meow so much and why it’s such a fun breed!
Annewieke, 51, lives with her family and her cats in a spacious detached house in Sleeuwijk, North Brabant, Netherlands. The house is located in an industrial area, and the view from the backyard is beautiful – it overlooks the green pastures. The family lived there even before the cats arrived, but the house and the garden are a perfect fit for the three cats. They even have room for an outdoor enclosure.
That sounds cozy! Do your cats enjoy it too?
Absolutely. They entertain themselves indoors as well because they love playing and sleeping on their Maine Coon scratching post. But, of course, it’s a real treat for them when they get to go outside. Maine Coons are naturally sociable and known for being companion animals. Mine are certainly the same – they are social, follow us everywhere, and chat all day long! It’s quite fun because they meow when they want food or when they want to be cuddled. And that happens quite often, haha.
Have you ever lost track of your cats?
Thankfully, not outside. Inside the house, I sometimes have to search for them, but I’m lucky that they always come when I call them. So, they’re quickly found. Most of the time, I just need to look on their scratching post because they’re often there. They were already sitting on it when we were still assembling it.
What are your cats’ names, and where did you meet them?
Our cats are named Zuko, Pablo, and Loki, but I often call them “Poepie” or “Moppie.” They all come from the same fantastic breeder. I originally wanted just one, but as you can see, we now have three tigers running around our house. We started with Zuko and Pablo, and later Loki joined the gang. We saw pictures of the litter Loki was born into and instantly fell in love. So, he joined our family as well, and it worked out well with the other two.
How can you tell that cats accept each other?
Zuko and Pablo had been with us for over a year when we brought Loki home. The introduction of the cats went quite quickly and smoothly. Loki was immediately accepted by the other two, and now he frequently chases after his “big brothers,” usually ending in a playful wrestling match. Loki is the real troublemaker of the three. Zuko, on the other hand, never wants to be photographed; he just turns his head away!
Tell us more about their personalities and what makes them special?
Zuko is a true red tomcat. He has a strong will and decides what and when he eats on his own terms. If he’s not in the mood, he just walks away from his food and comes back half an hour later to ask for it. He enjoys lying on his back, looking around, and occasionally comes for a cuddle, but not too often. He’s not very keen on having his photo taken – if I come near him with my phone, he arrogantly turns his head away. But he’s very sweet, and I adore his fluffy belly!
Pablo is a bit of a goofball, and he weighs nearly nine kilos, making him the largest of the three. He finds everything delicious and loves to eat, but he doesn’t mind sharing his food with his brothers. He’s more inclined to be lazy than active, and when he does sprint, it surprises everyone. He’s fond of cuddling – whether it’s on my lap or between my husband and me on the couch.
Loki is incredibly sweet and was bottle-fed since his mother passed away shortly after his birth. That was very sad, of course, but because he had so much human contact from the beginning, he turned out to be the biggest cuddle bug of them all. However, he is also the most mischievous of the three – if I’m not paying attention, he might end up in the curtains! Furthermore, he retrieves anything he can carry.
So, their behaviors are different, but all three share the same social and gentle character, which seems to be a trait of Maine Coons.
Do you want to know more about Annewieke’s cat breeds? Read our blog about the Maine Coon!
The last question already: why are your cats the best?
I grew up with cats, so I love all cats. But, of course, mine are more special to me. I got Zuko and Pablo during a tough time, and they really helped me get through a challenging year. They made me laugh with their playful antics and brought a lot of warmth and coziness into my home. All three of my cats are sweet, sociable, and cute. And very handsome too!
Annewieke chose the Turnpike 200 scratching post. It’s a 2-meter-tall scratching post with two hammocks, two sleeping houses, and an XXL lounge bed at the very top. She and her cats are very happy with it. They play on it, scratch it, and, of course, sleep on it.
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Disclaimer: Petrebels is not a veterinarian or behavior expert. All content, information, and tips on this blog are meant to inspire you and are for informational purposes only. If your cat has health issues or problems, and you’re uncertain about your cat’s health, always consult a veterinarian or a behavior expert.
