I adopted Charlie on Nov. 30, 2012, from a local rescue shelter. He was a two year old male dangerously underweight at less than 8 pounds. It was later discovered by my veterinarian that he had a serious parasite infestation. Now he is in good health and has doubled his weight. He has the characteristics of the Maine Coon breed: long ear tufts, 19-inch long tail covered in thick hair, very large paws with hair tufts growing from between the pads on his feet, and a lush mane of soft hair.