He's a 13-month-old white and orange male rescue cat. His name is Glory (short for Glorfindel, one of the High Elves, for all you fellow Lord of the Rings nerds. He's our 4th Lord of the Rings cat.)

glory by catbird pics, on Flickr

He is a BIG boy! This quick phone photo does not do justice to either his size or the "glory" of his coloring. Allegedly, he is half Maine Coon--his original shelter had him labeled that way. We know do not know whether he was originally a stray or a surrender. He does have some very MC-like characteristics, including a high, squeaky voice and a very "chill" personality. He has the kind of personality some rescues call "bomb-proof"--nothing seems to disturb him. He handles it all. And he's smart and clever as can be, and loves people. Within an hour of being brought home, he was acting like he'd lived here for years.

Glory was rescued from a shelter in Kentucky on 5/3 by a local Wisconsin group. He had been in the Kentucky shelter for 3 months, unbelievably--I can't imagine why this incredible, personable cat was not adopted. He was brought to a local small-business pet supply shop where I often shop for cat food, where the owners show the rescue cats and handle adoptions.

I went to that store to buy cat food on Saturday, and discovered him. We had been considering since the loss of Linley that Cara would eventually need a new male companion to play with; she had gained weight and showed signs of depression. I wasn't particularly looking for a cat that day, although I had the characteristics of the cat we needed in the back of my mind. And Glory fit the description! After consulting with family members, we brought him home later that day. We feel incredibly lucky, since I'm sure within a few days, someone else would have taken him.

If Glory is an Elf, Cara is behaving like a Balrog, not unexpected. She hates him so much right now that she is sometimes hissing and growling at my daughter if his scent is on her! So we are running the Feliway Multi-Cat like crazy, and doing the room exchanges--he's confined in a separate room while Cara is out and about, then she's confined while he's out. This way, she can get used to his scent gradually, before we do anything face-to-face. Phantom (21 years old) is not exactly pleased, either, but unless he gets close to her, she ignores him. Glory has excellent cat manners in his interactions with her.

He has an incredibly silky coat which I think will get a lot longer after being flea-free and getting quality food. (You can see the breakage from the past flea infestation.) And OMG, does this boy eat! I am certain that he is still growing.

We are so happy to have found Glory!

He's a beauty!  Congratulations!

He is a handsome one catbird! I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't done growing yet. His paws look huge!  I'm sure Cara and he will be best buds in no time - he sounds like quite the southern gentleman.

Oh, Happy Day!  Yes, if he is in fact part maine coon, he'll be growing for a while.   

I'm so sorry Cara is acting like a high Diva, and I hope she'll come around.

Adorable! Almost a fluffier version of my Junior. 

Hi Glory

Welcome aboard.

He's a winner catbird

Thanks to you all. I think he's pretty special, too.  

Glory is doing well, and at least Cara has stopped hissing and growling at his scent. Glory and Phantom got into a little bit of swatting yesterday, but nothing too bad.

We have begun to think that Glory's age may have been overestimated a bit because of his larger-than-average size. As we have gotten to know him better, we are seeing that his behavior is in many ways quite kittenish, more so than we remember Cara was at age 13 months. His face is also kitten-looking. We think he may be a few months younger than they said. However, I haven't raised a male kitten since 1988, only females. I can't remember whether the males mature more slowly?

But this cat is incredibly talented! For one thing, he showed us within a day or two that he plays fetch (like Cara)--he initiated a fetch game with us. But he goes Cara one better: Cara brings the toy she has fetched and drops it at your feet. Glory will not drop it for another throw except into the hand of the person who has thrown it. Not onto the floor, not into another hand that is offered--only into the hand of the thrower. Like Cara, he also carries toys around in his mouth.

I think he's also interested in playing with Cara--he's starting to spend some time outside the room where she's penned up during the time he is free, and today they were batting paws under the door. And yesterday, when he knew she was on the other side of the door, he quite deliberately picked up a toy mouse and dropped right by the door, as if offering it to her. She, however, still considers him to be an intruder. It will be awhile yet before we let the two of them mingle.

If my memory is correct, maine coons and manxes both take 5 years to mature.

Aw, a fetching kitty!  Love fetching kitties, and he is clever, to give it back to the person who threw it.