DANTE: A STUDY IN CONTRASTS

Dante paints a fiery swath against a background of white.  The winter sun turns his coat to flame, synchronously casting a shadowy afterthought on the snow beneath.

Dante is a complex cat.  He is as deep as the snowbanks that surround him, yet very straightforward.  He is light and shadow; fire and ice, and all the subtle shadings in between.

Dante is both Yin and Yang.

"Let me Yin, Cod Yang it!", says he.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH DANTE: SNOWED UNDER!

EASY ON SUNDAY WITH DANTE: A MANCAT CAN DREAM, CAN'T HE?

It's Sunday and Dante's taking it easy on top of the cat tree in the family room.

It's that time of year when a young mancat's thoughts turn to Spring!

Warm days, sunshine and flowers!

But when he looks past the flowers ...

... why it's enough to make a mancat's blood run cold!

Dante says:  "I'm gonna take a nap.  Don't wake me up 'til Spring!

DANTE: AWASH WITH LIGHT!

Here is Dante in the driveway just the other day. It was warmer than it has been and the sun was strong.  So Dante decided to have a bath and literally wash himself in the light.

Witness ...

 It's nice and dry on the driveway, and the pavement is warm on the feet!

 It's the PURRfect spot to take a bath.

 Dante takes a PAWS to reflect!

Gotta straighten things out a little -- his tongue's in a twist!

 Ah!  It's such a beautiful day!

 If it wasn't for the snow, one would almost think it was summer!

"All finished!  How duz yoo like me now?  By da way, I'd like ta introduce yoo to my faddah.  Even doe I luvs my Dada Walter, I still fink about the mancat who made me who I am today ...

... His name is Sergeant Pepper and he's 16 years old.  He still lives with the breeder and is very happy in his retirement.  In his heyday, he was not only sire to many a Maine Coon kitten, but was himself a Master Grand Champion showcat.  Of course he'll always be a champion in Dante's heart, furever and always in PURRpetuity!

Dante wants to know:  "Doo yoo fink we look alike?"  

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH DANTE: FIRE IN THE HOLE!

DANTE SHEDS LIGHT ON SPRING!

According to Dante, Spring is on its way!  Dante's fur has been coming out in large clumps.  His furry mane has diminished to warm weather proportions.

However, just to be absolutely certain, Dante needed to check things out for himself.   The snow banks were so high, though, that he couldn't really see anything.  So he went down the driveway to the edge of the street to get a good look.

"Yup!" says Dante.  "Spring is definitely around the corner."

GROUNDHOG'S DAY WITH DANTE: IT'S A PHILIBUSTER!

It seems all of Dante's campaigning to keep Phil, The Groundhog from declaring 'six more weeks of winter' have worked!  Although it certainly doesn't hurt that the skies are overcast today, Dante is sure that his 'Philibuster' tactics are what has saved the day (or weeks for that matter).

Witness ...

So now it's time to celebrate!  There's going to be an early Spring.

Dante declares ...

... "CHEESE FUR EFURRYONE!"

Even after Phil has had his fill ...

... there's plenty left to go around!

Efurrybuddy say "CHEESE"!

DANTE GETS READY FOR GROUNDHOG DAY!

Dante is out in the back yard practising for the arrival of 'Phil, The Groundhog' tomorrow.

He thinks the best place to have this encounter is close to one of his favourite trees.

"There should be plenty of space here ta cast his shadow", says Dante.

"An' da tree will cast an even biggah shadow, so he won't see his own. Ha! Ha!", chuckles Dante deviously.

Dante will do everything possible to make sure there's an early Spring.

He's prepared to Spring into action one way or another.  "I even has a backup plan", says he.  If da sun is shining bright, I'm gonna blindfold da suckah and throw snow on his shadow."

"An' if there's no sun, I'm gonna dig him out myself, and tempt him with cheese so he'll be sure to come out and tell us all da good news!  Who cares if he's a little cheesed off while he's doin' it?"

So, you'll have to return tomorrow to see which plan Dante gets to put into practice.

"I tell you", he says, "if dere's no early Spring, I'll be carving me up some groundhog Philetts -- I PURRomise you dat!  Duz you hear me, Phil, wherefur you are?"