Free Republic

A Maine Coone from Stary Oskol in eastern Russia is thought to be the world’s largest kitten at just under 2 years old — with perhaps years more before he stops growing. Owner Yulia Minina bought the alabaster tomcat named Kefir — after the creamy cultured milk drink — two years and many pounds ago. “But when strangers come to the house, everyone first confuses him with a dog,” she added. In fact, Kefir weighs more than the average toddler, with 2-year-olds typically clocking in at 26 to 28 pounds, according to BabyCenter.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Spock the cat is suffering from a case of mistaken identity. Spock’s owner wants her neighbors to know that he really is just a lovable and mischievous domestic cat, and not a bobcat or other wild animal. Collen Pizarev told the San Jose Mercury News that a neighbor accused her of harboring a bobcat, after seeing her 27-pound, 46-inch Maine Coon peering out the window. Another neighbor mistook the massive cat for a lynx.

Philosophy When our breeding endeavor began, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to gain exposure and knowledge through contacts in both the United States and in Europe. Differing opinions are a staple in any community, and the Norwegian Forest cat lovers/breeders are certainly no exception to this rule. We have learned from observing breeding programs and participating in shows both in the United States and in Europe and have developed our own ideas about the Norwegian Forest cat, but our end goal is ultimately the same as breeders around the globe. Our philosophy is quite simple, taking into consideration...

It was only when the coin was later identified as Viking that the game heated up. By then poor Mellegren -- who, Beachcombing must say was someone with a reputation for integrity -- had passed away. Beachcombing has no illusions about much of the nonsense written about pre-Columbian visits to North America. But in this case he would give a thumb and a half followed by two cheers and three quarters. There is a good chance that this really is what it seems: A European coin that found its way to North America in the twelfth century. Minted in Norway,...

One of the oldest breeds of cats in North America is the Maine Coon Cat, and some say 40% of the originals had extra toes. One article said it evolved as a "snowshoe foot" to help these cats walk in the snow. Cute story, but probably [expletive deleted] ...The breed closest to the Maine Coon Cat is the Norwegian Forest Cat which evolved in the same climate and lends credence to one theory that ancestors of the Coon Cat may have even come to the New World onboard Viking ships. I like that theory best.

Pickles the cat was once abandoned and had a hard time finding a home because of his size until he met a couple who have a heart and home big enough to take him in. He was nicknamed Catasaurus Rex when he was put up for adoption. Weighing in 21 lbs for about 3 feet long, Pickles is larger than some dogs. Because of his enormous appetite, he was forced out of his home, looking for food scraps. But now Pickles has finally found a home and humans that love him to bits despite his size and the way he...

A Maine Coon cat named Stewie is the new record holder for "world's longest cat," according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. His recent measurement from his nose to the tip of his tail bone put him at 48 and a half inches, a half inch longer than the original record holder. The cat's owner, Robin Hendrickson, says the Maine coon's full name is Mymains Stewart Gilligan. According to Wikipedia, Maine coons really do hail from Maine, but there are other theories regarding their deeper origins. One such theory says that they are descended from Marie Antoinette's Turkish Angora cats, who bred...