Browse ›
A grandma with a silver braid brushes the long black coat of a Maine Coon cat sitting on gray wooden back steps. 10 / 24

Onyx Pretends He Doesn't Love Brushing Day. His Face Says Otherwise.

AI imagemaine coongroomingback steps

The back steps are painted a soft gray, a little scuffed from years of boots, and a pot of fresh herbs sits on the landing beside a pair of garden clogs. Nell has settled onto the top step in her denim shirt, braid tumbling down her back, holding a small blue brush. With slow, gentle strokes, she works through the thick fur along Onyx's shoulders and neck. Onyx sits patiently in front of her on the next step down, his massive black coat flowing all the way to the boards, his tail curled around his feet. His golden eyes are narrowed in a look of dignified tolerance that is slowly melting into enjoyment.

Maine Coons have a long, shaggy, water-resistant coat that is longer on the stomach, legs, and ruff and shorter on the shoulders. Although their fur is less prone to matting than some long-haired breeds, regular brushing, a few times a week, helps prevent tangles, reduces shedding and hairballs, and keeps the coat healthy. A wide-toothed comb works well for the longer areas, followed by a softer brush. Pay special attention to the belly, armpits, and behind the legs, where mats tend to form. Starting brushing sessions when a cat is young, keeping them short, and adding treats can make grooming a calm bonding ritual.

Onyx might not admit he loves this, but he has not moved an inch. By the end, he will look sleek and shiny, the steps will be covered in black fluff, and Nell will have earned her cup of tea.

More from this collection

All 24 →
A grandma with a silver braid whittles wood on a porch bench while a black Maine Coon watches shavings fall to the floor.Grandma Nell Started Whittling, and Onyx Saw Something Worth HuntingA grandma with a silver braid smiles at a black Maine Coon cat sitting on a pickup tailgate beside a golden field.Grandma Nell Leaned In Close on the Tailgate, and Onyx Looked Right Back
A grandma in glasses repairs a wooden garden bed fence while a black Maine Coon sits beside her holding a twig in its mouth.Grandma Nell Grabbed a Hammer to Fix the Garden Bed. Onyx Brought Supplies.A grandma with a silver braid stretches on hands and knees on a green mat while a black Maine Coon sits right beside her.Grandma Nell Rolled Out Her Mat for Evening Stretches. Onyx Had Questions.A grandma with a silver braid sleeps in a rope hammock between two trees with a large black Maine Coon curled on her chest.Grandma Nell Climbed Into the Hammock for a Quick Rest. Onyx Climbed In Too.A grandma with a silver braid dozes on a wooden porch swing with a big black Maine Coon asleep across her lap.Nobody Knows Who Fell Asleep First on Grandma Nell's Porch Swing