Wha? Coons now stated just being called coons? Or raccoons is to much to say? I'm confused, really o.O? Wha?

People like to shorten raccoon to 'coon because, to them, it sounds cute and is easier to say. However, it's been used as a racial slur in the past, so some think it's insensitive to continue using it, regardless of intent.

As to the journal, I don't think anyone could take offense to calling a Maine Coon a Maine Coon, as it's two words instead of just the one, but Wikipedia has some alternate names listed, such as American Forest Cat, if you're set on removing the word from your vocabulary entirely.