DANTE INSPIRED!

Dante received this award from "Twinkletoe Tales".  It's not often that he gets an award all by himself (more commonly along with his brother and sister), so thank you very much to Oui Oui and her furbling cohorts.

Apparently, once you get this award you are supposed to tell seven -- count 'em seven -- things about the awardee.  So here goes:

1. Two of Dante's most-used nicknames are "Baboon" and "Puddy Footy".  Now you may think the first one is because he's some kind of monkey, but actually it's a combination of the first three letters from "Baby" and the last three letters from "Coon". 
2. The second nickname came naturally because when Dante lies next to me -- on the back of the couch for instance -- he likes to put his feet on me.  I just love it, of course, and will often call him -- nay, beg him -- to come put his footy on me.  I say "C'mon Puddy Footy, put your footy on me!"  This picture of Dante outside with stone kitty gives you an idea of how he hangs down the back of the couch to reach out and touch someone -- that someone being moi. 

3.  Dante has a sweet little lip that he just loves to have kissed.  Wanna smooch?

 
He will raise his face to anyone to give them a kiss.  Although he can't actually pucker, he still likes to touch lips.  The following pictures show Dante kissing a couple of our guests with whom he is not overly familiar.  Dante is an equal opportunity kisser.

     

POW!  Right in da kissah!

4.  Dante is very sociable and likes to join us when we have company for dinner.  Typically he sits near me on one of the side chairs and waits for something to eat.  Sometimes he will even dress for dinner if it's a special occasion -- like at Christmas!

   

 Got milk -- but where are the cookies?

Dante just loves when someone butters him up! 

Even dining al fresco, Dante likes to get into the mix!

5.  Dante will sometimes eat with his paws.  

Instead of putting his face in the bowl of kibble, Dante will fish out pieces with his paw and put them in his mouth.  Dante's kibble is actually Maine Coon sized, so it is easier to pick up than the more typical fare (although he tries that, too).  If I give him pieces of meat -- like HAM or chickHEN -- he will also pick it up with his paw and place it in his mouth.  I believe his claws play an essential part in this.  Sometimes, if it's a particularly large piece of meat, he will then carry it in his mouth off to another spot (where he can be alone to devour it).  Does this sound like wildcat behaviour or what?

Dante is one of those cats who also scrapes at his water dish and splashes the top of the water with his paw before drinking.  This is apparently another behaviour inherited from his wild ancestors who typically tested the water with their paw before imbibing.

   

6.  Dante actually does CHASE squirrels from time to time.  I know most of the more recent pics show him just watching them, but when the opportunity is right, he takes off after them.  Truth be told, it seems like more a game than a hunt.  The squirrels actually seem to enjoy it, too, and will come back asking for more.  "Chase me, chase me", they squeal. 

     

Who knew Dante could move that fast?

7.  Dante is very good friends with Crazy Cat Lady Carm.  In fact, she is the one who first discovered him
and suggested to Mama that she start a blog, and then introduced her to the CB.

Now Dante and I are cheerleaders for Carm in her fight against Multiple Myeloma.  She's a strong and feisty lady who maintains a sense of humour even through the most difficult times.  We love you, Carm!

    

So, because we love her so much, we are giving this "Very Inspiring Blogger Award" to Carm.  She is a real inspiration to us.  We give it to you, freely, Carm without expectation.

We would also like to pass this award along to the following bloggers:

Spitty-the-Kitty (because we want to know more about him)

Katnip Lounge (because their Mom will come up with something really freaky)

Housecat Confidential (because Quill is so darn cute and his Mom is a great writer)

Sweet Purrfections (because Truffle and Brulee are so irresistible)

Brian's Home (because he is so dedicated to the welfare of homeless kitties)

Rumblebum (because Rumbles is a fellow Maine Coon and Hammy is a clown)

Kudos to all!