In celebration of his life, here are some pictures starting from the very beginning back in 2002.
Here's Dante and his littermates having lunch on his Mommy, Eleanor (Lacocoon Eleanor Rigby).
Dante's one of the red ones, of course.
In this shot you'll find Dante at the top of the heap -- with his mouth open!
One of baby Dante's first solo photoshoots!
Dante at the Lacocoon Cattery waiting for his new Mommy and Daddy to come and pick him up.
Dante in his new furever home -- just chillaxin'!
Around six months old, his tail was bigger than the rest of him!
Dante's formal portrait at one year old. He finally grew into that tail!
A fully mature Dante in fine coat!
Here's Dante in SPRING, ready to spring into action!
Dante in SUMMER -- even outshines the flowers!
Dante in FALL, just fiddling around!
Dante's a true lion in WINTER!
Kung Fu Dante at the ready!
Bad Boy Dante's looking good!
Supermancat Dante's ready to save the world!
Dante and his cousin the lion have lots in common, not least of which is that abundant mane!
Then there's those magnificent 'tocks, although they're hard to see beneath all that floof!
And here's Dante today -- just as handsome after all these years! Something tells me the best is yet to come.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
MY DARLING DANTE!!!
Now, Dante, Dylan and Domino are all heading over to Gracie's Mad Hatter Party, because it's Gracie's birthday, too! Why don't you join us all there for one big celebration?
Happy Birthday Dante! Mom is squeeeing over those kitten pics!!
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
Dante hope you have many more birthdays my fine floofy furry purry friend!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday dear Dante - you are a very special cat.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures Wendy. Wow, what a long tail he had in his youth but what a magnificent cat he has grown to be!
ReplyDelete-- Marilyn
Happy Birthday, Dante! You were an adorable kitten and are a handsome cat.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post in honor of Dante's birthday.....Happy, Happy, HAPPY Birthday!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletexxxxxxxxx
Happy Purrtday Dante and a squillion more! Yoor baby pikshers made mom skweee.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful series of beautiful memories! Much love to Dante on his special day... KUDOS to Jean for a fabulous breeding program... KUDOS to you for all the love, care, and dedication you have to your wonderful boy... who is STILL IMHO the most awesome Maine Coon I've ever seen!!!
ReplyDeleteOMC! OMC! OMC! You are THE most handsomest Maine Coon we ever saw!!! The kitten pics took our breath away.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
I LOVE the baby photos. Happy Birthday you magnificent beast, Dante!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Dante!!! What an adorable baby you were!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy 9th Birthday Dante you BEAUTIFUL boy!!! What a tiny kitten you were, I especially like the picture of your extremely long tail :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Dante! We hope you have a fabulous celebration (we'll see you at Gracie's!) and we wish you many, many more birthdays to come!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Dante! Mom just about passed out over the kitten pictures, but all of us girlcats are swooning over your fall pictures. I mean, you really should be on the cover of GQ. Paws on the tree, head looking over at us. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteHappy 9th Birthday you beautiful small lion. You are absolutely magnificent from the moment your mommy fed you and through every year of your life. Me and mommy both love and admire you.♥
ReplyDeleteWow, Happy Birthday, Dante! You are one beautiful (and furbountiful) Maine Coon. It was good to see your photos from the beginning. I'm a Maine Coon, too, but I was adopted as a fully-grown kitty, so I'll never have baby pictures to show like you have. You next to the lion is really cool. You could be king of the beasts, too (maybe a kindlier version).
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Tom
xoxo
We have to say....You are 9 years of Magnificence!!! And what a cutie Patootie babycat you were, too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you! And many more...I'z got my jazz paws goin' for ya! Dante buddy, you are an excellent speciMANCAT of a Maine Coon, that's for sure. And remember, we has a soft spot for them Coons at Headquarters. Hopes you gets TONS of Num-Nums today! And theese was a beautiful tribute to ya, great pictures.
ReplyDeleteDante...you have grown from a cute kit to one handsome mancat!!! Happy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteDante, your kitten pictures SLEW Mommy flat!! You (and your tail) are just the handsomest.
ReplyDeleteHappy Ninth Birthday!! We are looking forward to more of your adventures.
Happiest of Birthdays to you Dante! You are the very handsomest lion around!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY DANTE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed this pictorial of your life!
You have such a regal name for such a regal cat!
Loved this!
Happy Birthday Dante! I remember when I first saw your blog. My first impression was, "You are such a beautiful little lion!" It still is. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteP.S.: Do you like goggies at all?
Happy Birthday, Dante! We hope you are having the most wonderful of days, and that the coming year is filled with all of the things you love the most. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Dante!! I hope you had a purrfect day! <3 I loved seeing your baby pictures! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Dante! I almost missed your birthday, but am so glad mom finally got home and is helping me visit. You are such a handsome mancat!
ReplyDeleteLove the baby pictures.
Happy Birthday gorgeous Dante!...We loved all your photos=you have always been a beautiful boy!...Our Mommy adores all your awesome floof!...We hope your special day is full of cuddles and treats, sweet friend...kisses from 3 of your biggest admirers :)...Calle, Halle, Sukki
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought you would have turned out so big and handsome!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Mandu
How did we miss your Birthday Dante - mum is not doing her duties properly. We are sending belated Happy Bithday wishes
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah & Lucy xx xx
Happy Birthday Dante...we loved seeing your photos through the years. You were a precious baby :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Sir Dante.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the beautiful pics of you. Thanks for making me smile.