FRIGID FRIDAY WITH DANTE

You would think that Dante, a Maine Coon with a thick fur coat, wouldn't balk at the lower temPURRatures.  After all, his Maine Coon ancestors developed such coats as a defence against the steely cold winters in Maine.

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the Maine Coon coat:

"Maine Coons have several physical adaptations for survival in harsh winter climates. Their dense water-resistant fur is longer and shaggier on their underside and rear for extra protection when they are walking or sitting on top of wet surfaces of snow or ice. Their long and bushy raccoon-like tail is resistant to sinking in snow, and can be curled around their face and shoulders for warmth and protection from wind and blowing snow and it can be even curled around their backside like a insulated seat cushion when sitting down on a snow or ice surface. Large paws facilitate walking on snow and are often compared to snowshoes. Long tufts of fur growing between their toes help keep the toes warm and further aid walking on snow by giving the paws additional structure without significant extra weight. Heavily furred ears with extra long tufts of fur growing from inside help keep their ears warm."

Nevertheless, Dante has been resistant to outdoor excursions beyond the front porch of late, and even then, not for very long.

"Brrrrr!  Is cold out here!"

"Why do you do this to me, mama?  OK, I'll give you one good

pose and that's all."

"Please let me back in, mama!"

"I said, please!!!"

"O fur Ceiling Cat's sake woman!  Give a mancat a break!"

"OK.  One last time.  Got it?  Good."

And with that, mama opened the door and Dante went inside.

  And me?

I was left out in the cold.