He is a handsome boy! I talked to my ginger tabby, Taffy, and he thinks Finnegan is a good representative of the tribe.
Seriously, I think you need another kitty, not to replace Keegan, but to give love to another,
I would visit him, but I don't know anything about adopting, all of mine have found me, so I have no idea about the procedures with a shelter.
Follow your heart.
Lilo - a cat-lady

Go for it.

He's going to be a big boy, sort of like our marmalade cat, Duke. I've never actively looked for a cat. They always seem to just arrive, either via a friend or on their own. They must know that this is a house that never saw a cat it didn't like.

Make the drive & go get him.

Most of my cats found me, rather than me finding them.

Trina was adopted through a vet, and she chose DD before we even really looked at the other kittens. I am not one to interfere with instant love -- she had all claws firmly hooked into the shoulder of DD's blouse about 2 seconds after meeting.

Mum adopted dogs through the local Humane Society. Long form to fill out. There were visits (a canine's social worker?) to be sure that her home was as she said, and a follow-up to check that all was going well. I haven't any idea if that is still done, but I think you do have to describe your living conditions and agree to neutering.

One thing to remember is that photos on-line sometimes remain on-line even after the subject has been adopted.

He's a beautiful cat!

You probably need to check with the shelter/rescue to be sure that they'll allow adoptions that far out of their area.

If they don't, check with your local shelters & rescues.

Best luck!

I really wanted another Maine Coon as their personality is a great fit with mine. They're energetic and playful, talkative, fun loving, and affectionate. I need that! I've been in contact with the rescue place and they know I am interested. It's just that I've spent so much money on cats lately and it's so far to drive. I guess am not sure I am ready.

What are you waiting for?

getting my heart broke this bad again

Finnegan is a beautiful little cat and the description of him melts my heart. He would be a wonderful addition to your family. Heck, I'm almost tempted to ride to TN to get him, myself! But if you're not ready, you know that sooner or later there will be another cat just as dear in need of your love and care.

Only once did I go out and replace a much beloved pet immediately and I chose him for all the wrong reasons. IOW, he looked like the one I had just lost. I ended up loving him, of course, but to see such different personality in such a familiar body was almost like Steven King's Pet Semetery.

When I lost my much adored cat Kitty-Ko-Chan, I waited and watched and knew in my heart that I would know the replacement when I saw it and I bided my time for almost a year. That's how I ended up getting my best cat of a lifetime, Satiko-San. She needed me as much as I needed her, and was a not particularly special looking kitten, being a grey tabby. That's an unfortunate situation for shelter animals who need adoptions. I saw in her, however, a parculiar ocelot pattern, and the lack of any tan or brown in her coat. It is completely blacks and greys, and she is of mixed siamese lineage. She grew up a knock-out, and best of all, completely devoted and is a Ninja kitty. A real, spitter of a feline.

I don't know if Finnegan is right for you or not. You heart will tell you this. I'd suggest contacting the foster mother and discussing it with her. She'll be able to tell you if he has the personality to suit your family. I love coon cats, I love marmalade tabbies. I'd get him in a heartbeat if I were in a position to give a home to yet another cat. He deserves a good home, I'm sure. I now prefer to look at personalities when I acquire a companion animal. That's my chief criteria and I don't think I could judge it for myself without interaction.

"That's my chief criteria and I don't think I could judge it for myself without interaction."

Me too Suzy. That's why I worry about driving so far, only to be disappointed. After talking with the rescue lady, I was still encouraged he was the kitty critter I thought him to be. He stuck in my mind like glue, but how can I tell if he has the personality I read it to be without driving there? I can't. Hence, my question, how do you adopt from a rescue shelter?

It looked as if he was in a foster situation. Is he, Rob? If he is and you can call or email the family who is fostering him, and level with them about what kind of cat you desire, you may get a much better idea. Anyone who has cats, loves cats, can tell you pretty well what to expect. I could. They have such distinct traits. My ninja cat is a one person cat, and more like a dog. My big Tom is laid back and loves everyone, my blue will not be touched, my marmalade tabby is friendly, but destructive. ETC.

It's hard, isn't it? It's like searching for a husband and knowing that certain traits will drive you nuts and others, you absolutely must have.

Alls I know is some cat is going to find a really good home, when you connect.

Another reason I have been waiting is, I want two cats. Finnegan needs another cat because he'll be bored. Maine coons are very needy socially, and I just can't leave him along all day long again. It was the one thing I think I would've changed had I to do it all over again with Keegie. And the foster home really wants Finnegan to have a friend.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here she is! Pal to Finnegan, Mishka (a local gal)

I can't pretend to know if this is the right cat for you or not. Or if a different way of handling things is right or not. I only know the way I've handled things. When we've lost animals in the past, I've hated the quietness of the house immediately after their death. It's almost as if the home is a body, and the pets are the heart and it's dead without them. But for me, it's important to live in that desolate stillness for a little while... to get all the sad out so the happiness can come in untainted.

To answer your specific question, when Steve and I were ready for another kitten, I researched several locally fostered cats, and fell in love with one over the internet. Madison has a wonderful local non-profit that fosters (mostly) kitties in homes, as opposed to shelters, so the cats don't become psychotic in the transition, and people have the opportunity to meet the cats in a home environment. I would strongly encourage you to see if this sort of non-profit exists where you live, because it makes the "getting to know you" process easier.

We made arrangements to meet a woman who was fostering a new litter and a few rescues. We went to see "Sadie," (the cat I really, really wanted, based on her online profile) and planned to take her home that night. When we got there, Sadie was sprawled on the dining room table, and I saw immediate alarm in Steve's eyes. While the foster mom fed the kitties, we watched Sadie jump on the counters, and then up on the kitchen cabinet tops and walk around the kitchen. I didn't even need to see Steve to know what he was thinking. Incredibly, I believed I could (and even should) change his mind.

We sat on the foster mom's couch and talked for 20 minutes or so. Kotie was not the first in our laps, but she played when we put toys in front of her. She didn't hiss at the other cats and had good body language around the foster mom's yappy dog. Honestly, I didn't notice her because I was a little fixated on convincing Steve that we could "handle" Sadie. Steve said no to Sadie, and asked if we could have Kotie instead.

The woman was relieved, and admitted she had become so enchanted with the cat, she didn't want to let that one go. I was baffled because I hadn't even noticed Kotie. I looked at Kotie, made a kissing sound, and she jumped in my lap. I was still not convinced. I've never considered grey tabbies all that beautiful, and this cat really seemed unremarkable to me. She fell asleep in my lap and purred my objections away.

In retrospect, Sadie's online profile was so appealing because it was written by a woman destined to become her biggest fan. If Steve had written her profile, I wouldn't have even considered her. When we meet animals online, we meet them through the filter of their foster family. We need to meet them in person to know for sure. Next time I think I'll be less swayed by marketing and pay better attention to body language. I'll also try to leave my emotional self and grand expectations at the door. They didn't serve me in the process.

Ultimately, we got the right cat... and Steve was right...

I just read your 15:48 post, Rob, and a thought occurred to me... Do you have the bandwidth (or interest) to contact an animal rescue group and offer to foster a litter of kitties right now? They always need temporary homes and help with socialization, and fostering would allow you to have cats in your house without long-term commitment... You'd be ready for the perfect cat(s) when and if they show up without rushing in to anything.

I'm not saying you should, just wondering if you've considered the possibility...

LOLOL. You crack me up. You're in advertising, aren't you? You should know about good press. I know when I went to the shelter to actually bring home my prospective kitten, Satiko, the shelter tech automatically reached in to one of the cute, fluffy spotted long-hairs. NO, NO, says I and pointed to the very wiry, grey tabby. He really looked puzzled. Her??????

Yes, HER! I had followed her story from day one, before she was taken to the shelter. My DIL's mother was at a church function, volunteering in the kitchen when the kitten made a commodition at the back door and they let her in. She demanded food, and they fed her a bowl of hot oatmeal. And somebody cared enough to box her up and take her to the shelter. When I heard the story, I drove immediately to the shelter and was there when they brought her in! She took one look at me and stretched out her arms for me to pick her up, all the while hissing at the staff.

I was obliged to leave her there for the physical and quarantine and also to convince my non-cat loving husband I needed to get her. I couldn't get her off my mind and went back several times to see her in action. She was completely aloof with the other animals and always sprang to attention when I came and and demanded picked up and loved.

I bought her for myself for my birthday. Brought her home and just walked in with her with that look in my eye. IOW, she's home and that's that. She's been with me for almost eighteen years now and it was a very good choice. The DH has resigned himself to a house full of cats and is a decent sport about it anymore, mostly because 'his' dog is insane and I love him. He is like Steve, since he is a butcher, the thought of a cat contaminating his counters makes him physically ill. LOL.

My thinking was, I don't see my home without a cat. There are moments of sadness, but mostly just emptiness. Cold, nonfurry armrests on my couch, empty laps, no purring in my ears. I need one. My search is for a rescue kitty who is a sweet, active cat. Sweet being the most important factor. I don't do hissing snooty, aloof cats at all. Mishka just strikes me as a curious sweetie pie. I can say no when I see her in person, right? I hope! And I can drive to see Finny with a backup plan, just the one I really like. If I really like her. Or start over having lost nothing. This search will take time, but I am ready for my arms to be filled with sweet goodness that is fluffy.

Maine Coons are just very special cats and I think are the dorkiest of all..and so darn lovable. Enjoy him,love him and hang up a windchime somewhere so you'll htink of Keegan when the wind blows.

Robin i noticed Mishka is an adult female cat and from experience ive found they dont accept other cats as readily as younger cats. Males tend to be more accepting overall esp when they are young...less than a year. If you're lucky they may work out a pecking order and keep in mind most conflicts tend to be more vocal than physical but than again they may hate each other forever. I guess if it were me id try to get either 2 very young males or a male and female from the same litter and who have been together since birth.

She's about 1 1/2-2 years old and he's about 1. I'll see her tomorrow and keep it in mind. From what the lady said today, Mishka is getting pushed around right now, but her reaction to it is to get up high and stay out of the way. Sounds like they both need calmer environments and will be happier for the move(s). I hope; one step at a time!

Robin, one of the things I wonder if you're considering. Is this is the right time to bring in a new cat while you're still doing your remodeling? Keegan knew you, knew he was safe and with his family as the hammering and the drilling etc., went on. A new guy would see you all as strangers and it might be stressful for a cat to settle down readily.
And all of that after riding in a car for four hours.

I knows how much you want to fill the huge hole in your heart...and you will. And maybe with two babies if that's that you want. I hear thoughtful reservations from you. Listen to your instincts. Make sure it's the right time for your family and the kitty in your future.

I can't know what's right for you, but I'm all for jumping right back in the cat saddle. When I lost my college cat, my great grey tabby, my husband brought home another grey tabby teenager I think within a week or two, based pretty much on looks--I was all for it, figuring few people could love a grey tabby as much as I could. He ended up having a totally different personality, but no regrets--he's just as great a guy and just as adored, and he rides our shoulders like a parrot. I guess I feel that most cats, excepting the very shy, the psychos and the pee monsters, end up being great cats when given a good home.

Sheila has a valid point. I forgot all about your home being one giant project right now.

No one can give you the answer, only you will know when it is the right time and who is the right kitty. Listen to your heart, it will speak volumes.

I gave Sheila's point loads of thought, and I think what I've come up with is... any cat who lives in my house will have to get used to noisy hammers, saws, drills, etc. occasionally, but that's it. Because we live in our house while remodeling, we clean up after day of working. And it's really only a few hours of week where it's noisy. Most of the time, it's sanding, or painting, or normal life is going on. Good point Sheila, but I think the problem is minimal. It was only hard for Keegan when he fell in the hole dumb-butt decided not to cover one day. I could've killed Ed! Ed could've killed Ed.

That said, I can still say no tonight. I am not fully sure. But why am I second guessing myself? Insecurity? Isn't the right time? Still grieving Keegan and in the self blaming, I could've done this or that better, phase? I think I would probably second guess myself a year from now. It is my nature!!! I guess I will know when Mishka's eyes are staring back at me. And as for Finny, well, he'll have to wait anyhow; he costs $$$.

I don't know that I was looking for answers just my usual thinking outloud thing. Lots of good points. And many I've thought about too. Thanks guys, I love you all!