The Smith family had a wonderful house-hold cat named, Humbug who lived to a wonderful 15 years old. Humbug’s final year found him with failing kidneys and liver. The Smiths were so heart-broken, they wanted to find a replacement for Humbug who would have the same qualities that endeared them to Humbug. He was warm, friendly, large-sized, forever curious, had these cute tufted ears, and seemed to be more like a dog than a cat. A friend of the Smiths, Kelly Carlson, suggested they visit the local cat show to look at different breeds - however, Kelly was sure the Smiths would like the Maine Coon cats since they fit the description the best. Margie went with Kelly to the show, and sure enough, Margie fell in love with the Maine Coons. They were exactly what Humbug was in personality, had cute those cute tufted ears and were substantial in size. After taking business cards from almost 15 breeders, the breeder who had a kitten ready and was easy to talk with was Pam Lindstrom of Qitah Cattery. Pam had a solid gray kitten she was willing to sell. So began the sojourn of the Maine Coon cats in the Smith household. Little did Pam, Kelly or Margie have any idea the magnitude of the changes soon to behold the Smith home!

Humbug lived for 5 months after Beamer, the solid gray kitten, came home. Humbug passed over the Christmas holiday 2002. When Humbug died, Beamer stopped eating then stopped drinking. CFA exhibitors offered advice, but a veterinarian was consulted and Smiths were told to get another cat immediately - or they would lose Beamer also. Pam called and said she had a female kitten the Smiths could have ASAP. So, once again, Smiths went to Qitah Cattery and picked up Josephina (Josie). Then two years later came Verismo Medley, a silver tabby. A year after that, Pam called to say there was another solid blue born, were the Smith’s interested? Of course! Beamer had granded, Medley had tarnished silver and broken patterning so he could not be shown and Josie, well she was a happy house cat and had no interest in traveling, showing, performing or well, other than “hanging out” she had no desire to change her life! Blue came to live with Smiths at the age of 3 months old. He had a short show career as his hair was not a true solid blue nor was it a smoke blue. So, Blue is also a house cat – along with Medley and Josie.

Finally, Murphy came to join us in the fall of 2005. He is not a Maine Coon but an red (orange) tabby, Domestic Long-Hair. He was found abandoned in an apartment in Gettysburg. When Margie was looking for a lost barn cat at the Adam’s County SPCA, Murphy was there. He was known as Tank at that time – and he is a Tank! He is smaller than the Maine Coon cats but weighs just as much! He won Margie’s and Lynn’s hearts and so he came to join the Smith household. He keeps the rest of the household active – running races from one end to the other, jumping and ambushing anybody, any cat or any dog he can! He absolutely loves the outdoor Cat Condo the Smiths made for the cats.

So you ask, what about Beamer? Well, he did 2 years in the classroom with Margie (see the Therapy Animals page) then, Margie moved to a different school district. For the time being, there doesn’t seem to be a need for Beamer in the classroom on a daily basis. Meanwhile, Beamer is still a certified Pet Partner with Delta Society and KPETS. He makes more speaking engagements than he does visits, but slowly, the New Oxford area has a need for therapy cats.

When Beamer was only 10 months old, it was decided at the school where Margie taught in the Harrisburg School District in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that he would go to school with Margie. The purpose was to help students learn to read body language to avoid either conflict or confrontational situations. To read more about this endeavor, go to the button off the HOME page titled, Therapy Animals At School. Meanwhile, Beamer needed to be retired from the show ring to earn his therapy certification. Quickly, Margie called Pam and with much coaching from Pam and other CFA exhibitors, Beamer finally granded. For as much as Beamer loved traveling every day to school, working with kids five days a week for as many as 10 hours a day, loves to be groomed, you would think going to the show hall would be a piece of cake. This was not to be. Beamer hated the cat show ring. He hated it so much that he was almost disqualified! Once Beamer granded, he was retired. Meanwhile, Beamer earned his certification for therapy through the Delta Society – a role he seems more suited for.

All the Smith cats are loving, full of fun and have wonderful senses of humor! If you need more information on Maine Coon cats, see the links below. Otherwise, go adopt a cat – long hair or short hair. There are so many cats and kittens in need of homes, if you are looking for a pet who will predict your every move, know your every need and keep you in line – then go adopt a cat!