TAILS TUESDAY: DANTE DOES IT AGAIN!

Just as I think there can't possibly be another angle on Dante's tail, he proves me wrong. 

This is a shot taken up close and from above.  It certainly crowds poor Dylan out of the picture!

(Biggify to poof the floof!)

This thing has a life all of its own!

DANTE, KING OF BEASTS!

Maybe I should have saved these pictures for a Wordless Wednesday, as I think they speak for themselves.

Behold Dante, King of Beasts!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: DANTE'S MORE THAN JUST A BIT OF FLUFF!

(Biggify to poof up the floof!)

TAILS TUESDAY: DANTE HAS A TIP FOR YOU!

It's Tuesday and time for another shot of Dante's tail.  This one only shows about the last half of his tail including the poofy tip.  You can see that there are swirls of white and light cream mixed with the brilliant red.

It's almost like frosting on an orange cake!  Come to think of it, I would always swirl the icing, too, as I was applying it.  As far as Dante goes, you can have his cake, but you can't eat it, too -- 'cause tails are sensitive when the bitey's put on them.

And we don't want Dante to have to go into the retail business.  He's doing fine the first time around.

(Biggify for full effect)

As Dante doesn't have a hat, he tips his tail to you on this fine Tuesday.  I'd say he tips about 40% (of his tail that is)!  He's very generous, isn't he?

DANTE: AND NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

I say "a little different", because there's nothing significantly different from the Dante you already know.  Each one of these pictures, though, is unique in its own way and has captured something quite special.  I gathered them from several days of recent photoshoots to assemble them here all in one place.

(Biggify at will! If you're a Dante fan, you will enjoy it.)

 

This is Dante shot through the open arm of the basket chair on the front porch.

It acted as frame for his profile, I thought.

This is Dante just as he landed after a short flight.

In this shot, you can truly appreciate the length of the big red beast.

I loved this shot because of the rather unique position.  There's a certain flow to it, and a sense of timelessness for some reason.  Like a moment frozen in time, I think.

This, of course, is a close-up of ears with a smattering of whiskers all highlighted by the bright winter sun.

Dante's red fur just intensifies at this time of year -- quite unlike the summer months.

Aside from being a great close-up shot of Dante's handsome face, he has this rather enigmatic look (sort of like a stunned Mona Lisa).

This shot was an outtake, but I rather like it anyway.  Dante was walking toward me and by the time I took the picture, he was already too close.  I like the look of purpose in his eyes, though -- and it's another great ear shot!  Next time I shouldn't wait until he's within earshot to shoot (LOL)!

This is just a super-floofy shot.  I even like the little wet wisp of fur which Dante had just finished grooming.  He looks like a big, fat, happy cat here, even though he's not fat at all.  That fur certainly fills him out!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed the eclectic mix of Dante's pix today.  Dante has many different sides and it will take many more photoshoots to truly capture them all.

TAILS TUESDAY: DANTE WITH A TWIST

Here's Dante's famed tail flipped into a twist and aglow from the sun.  Notice the length of the fur on one side of his plume.  Actually, the floofiest part is underneath.

With Maine Coon cats, the fur on their backside is much shorter than their undercoat.  The shorter fur which has an oilier texture helps to deflect water and keeps them dry in wet conditions, and the longer fur helps to keep them warm in the cold.  They are after all, a product of their harsh outdoor environment, and evolved to survive in the extremes of a Maine winter.

(Biggify for greatest effect)

With Maine Coons and Dante in particular, there's always a twist at the end of the tale.

DANTE STARS IN SNOW TREK!

There was actually some sunshine out there today!  We've had more than a week of solid gray skies, even though the temperatures have been somewhat warmer.

So, Dante took advantage of the nicer weather to go for a walk in the snow.  I don't bother to leash him in the winter because the snow generally keeps him hemmed in, but I do keep a close watch in case he needs to be herded back home.

My friend, Susan, from across the street was visiting with us outside, and while I was filming this little video of Dante's snow trek, she headed next door to try to head him off at the pass (so to speak).  Dante got no further than the edge of our neighbour's driveway when he turned back on his own.

I must tell you, that for the most part, Dante will actually listen to me.  When I say "Dante, be a good boy", he knows that I want him to stay close to home.  If he does ignore me, then I put on my loud, angry voice, and it usually chastens, as well as hastens him home.  He really responds to the positive reinforcement of praise.  I have also heard him whimper when he knows I'm upset with him for doing something he shouldn't.  And it's all just from a change in my voice!

Anyway, here's the link to the short video -- another talkie, I'm afraid!  Just click on the following.

DANTE'S SNOW TREK

Dante goes where no cat has gone before!  (At least not this winter.)

As an extra added bonus, here are three more pictures of Dante, Snow Cat, just because they're beautiful.  His fur is looking even redder against the whiteness of the snow lately.  I think actually when it's a bit overcast, the colours don't get washed out like they do when there's too much sun.

So from the frozen sub-Arctic tundra of suburban Ottawa, Dante wishes you farewell for the nonce!  There will surely be another Snow Trek episode in the not too distant future.   Snow Trek, the Seequel!  You'll just have to wait and see!