IT'S CATURDAY AND DANTE HAS CATRISMA!

It was snowing lightly outside, and Dante went around the corner of the garage, and had just reappeared when I took these pictures.  He was playing a little game of "Peek-a-Boo" with me, which I found quite charming.

Dante's got a quizzical look on his face in most of these shots which gives him an air of innocence.  I also love the look of the little flakes of snow that have landed squarely on his head -- adding an angelic touch.  It all tallies up to the allure that is Dante!  Don't you just want to pick him up and hold him tight? 

What a cat, and what CATrisma!

Happy Caturday, efurryone!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: DANTE DIGS WINTER!

(Biggification maximizes Dante's diggification)

TAILS TUESDAY: DANTE'S POOFTASTIC!

Now, even in warmer weather, Dante's tail doesn't seem to thin out.  I wonder why that is.  In any event, in spring, summer, winter and fall, Dante's weather "poof" all year long.

(Biggify for maximum poof)

What can I say?  The "poof" is in the putting!

THE DEFLOOFIFICATION OF DANTE!

Misha was kind enough to leave a comment on Dante's blog yesterday and this is what he said:  "You mean to say he's usually floofier than this? That's impossible!"

Well, my boy, I take that as a challenge, and here's the proof to back me up:

Et voila!

How many of you can tell the difference? 

Dante's not finished shedding yet, of course, and will look much sleeker the closer we get to spring.  The fur around his face, neck and mane thins out considerably.  Mind you, he still looks quite floofy, but he's nowhere near his "floofus maximus" that occurs from early fall through mid-to-late winter.

Ah, I just loves me a challenge!!!  What you got to say now, Misha?

CHILLIN' WITH DANTE ON AN EASY SUNDAY MORN

Dante's been spending more time out on the deck since the weather has turned a little warmer.  We're not into big melting mode yet, but there's a distinct air of spring in the air (knock on wood).  And it's very pleasant just to hang out and chill.  Chillin's a whole lot better than freezing, that's for sure!

By the way, I have noticed the inevitable thinning of Dante's thick mane around his neck and chest.  Last year, it began to thin out earlier in February, and indeed we had an early Spring.  So, now I use Dante as a  barometer for the changing seasons.

So, enjoy King Dante as he brightens up the winter landscape of our back yard.

Dante wishes you all a bright and easy Sunday!
  His advice is "Just Chill".

ONE WORD WEDNESDAY WITH DANTE

HUH?

(Biggify for greatest effect)

TAILS AND TOESIES TUESDAY WITH DANTE

Dante was having a great time communing with his favourite tree in the front yard.  In doing so, we got some great tail and toe shots.  It's recommended that you biggify each of these three pictures to get the best view of both tail and feet.

Here, Dante stretches proud and tall with tail extended and on tippytoes!

This is a close-up view of both.  The wind is whipping Dante's tail fur around a little, and you can see his toesies a lot better in this one.  Dante has very wide and long back feet which double as snowshoes in the winter.  They are typical of Maine Coons and help them navigate the snowy landscape.  TIPical Toesies (LOL)!

And this is a gorgeous shot of Dante, looking like he's in the wilds of the woods somewhere, even though he's just a few feet from his own front door.  Here, you get a nice tail shot, with the tip flopped over, and you can see both front and back feet.  Dante's toesies are replete with toe floss, and are ever so sturdy.  After all, look what they must support!

From the tip of his tail to his tippytoes, Dante sends you his greetings on this Tails and Toes Tuesday!

Y'all come back now, hear?

DANTE: MANCAT MONDAY MONTAGE

It's Monday, and today Dante stands as our lone representative of mancatliness.  Dylan has had more than his fair share of the limelight lately.

So, here is a mishmash of Dante pix, where he is primarily out and about in the front yard.  There is one exception which was taken in the outback.  For the most part, they are sunny day pictures which light up Dante's most orange hues and cast a halo about his purrson.

For those ladycats out there, especially Miss Camille Suzanne, Dante is one hunka, hunka burning love!

"I can't believe you said that, mama!"

Checking out the driveway from a dry spot in front of the garage.

Likely checking out a squirrel that has made it's appearance at the side of the house.

Perhaps a doggie is going by on the street while Dante remains safely on the front porch.

Peek-a-boo!

Now I see you!

"Don't I look angelic?  The sun has lighted up my furs."

Once again Dante has that certain glow!

It's no wonder Dante is my Maine man!  Er, mancat!

Now, this is what I call "Dante Delight"!

And this concludes our Monday Mancat Montage.  Thank you for visiting and come again, soon!

DANTE AND HIS VALENTINE!

You may recall that Dante had his last date with the lovely Miss Camille Suzanne of "Our Family Cat-a-blog" on New Year's Eve.  Since then, family issues have kept them apart;  Dante in Ottawa and Camille at her home in Michigan.

Here they are many miles from each other, but with a single thought.

"When will I see you again, my love?"

Well, since today is Valentine's Day, I told Dante he must go and see his beloved Camille.  So, he's off on his boogie mat to visit her at home.  Her mama's not well, and Camille is so devoted, she will not leave her side.  The only solution was for Dante to make his way there and spend the day with Camille and her entire family.

Dante is a very respectable young mancat, and thinks that it's time that he got to know everyone better.  As I write this, he is winging his way westward.  I just hope the weather holds out.

Dante made a special ecard for Miss Camille Suzanne that says everything he wants to say.  If you would like to see what he created, just click here:

Valentine, Will You Be Mine?

Isn't young love grand?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

DANTE: BACK IN THE OUTBACK

It's been a couple of months since Dante has been able to roam about freely in the back yard.  Up until recently, the deck and its benches were completely covered in snow.  Now there has been some melting, and Dante and his furblings can walk around the edges of the deck and sit on the benches without risking a cold butt.

This has also spurred Dante on to get right back out there and explore the entire outback.  After all, who knows what might have changed since he last did his rounds.

So here's King Dante on his venture to reclaim his domain.

First, Dante must test out the benches to make sure they have withstood the ravages of winter.

Then he bravely goes where no cat has gone since last November.

Got to check out the patio set.  It looks like some of the chairs were overturned by those wild wintery blasts!  (Good thing the set is weatherproof!) 

"Hello tree --  I've missed you so!"

"Mom, get a good shot of me with my tree -- it's been long time, no see!"

"Must check for any possible damage -- nope, it seems fine.  It was just taken aback, that's all.  It's going to need a little recovery time, though."

Dante must walk with care because the snow could collapse at any moment.

"Hey you!  Ya, I'm talkin' to you!  Make it another good one, OK?  My reputation is on the line, here."

Mission accomplished.  It's just a short trek back.

And here he is -- back where he started, but now Mom has sprinkled some peanuts for those pesky squirrels.  No wonder they keep coming back for more!

Everything has checked out A-OK, except for the traumatized chair.  And Spring will soon take care of that!