DANTE ON EARTH

Well, it just happens to be "Earth Day" today, as well as a gardening day, so I thought we'd kill two birds with one stone by showing Dante on earth in the garden.

Dante, as you may know, has already done a good fertilizing job back there, but until the grass seed is sown, nothing is going to grow (and the weather's still not warm enough for that).

However, what Dante is able to do beautifully, is perform his secondary task as garden ornament. So, here he is, in the garden, helping the earth as only he can.

Dante says "You has to stand up for what you beleaf in!"

"And I beleafs in Mudder Nature".

"You see when it rains an' da erf gets wet, that's Mudder Nature making mud".

"An' den the sun comes out an' dries up all da rain".

"An' de itzy bitzy spider goes up da spout again!"

"Speaking of spiders -- I likes dem, too. In fact, I likes all kinds of bugs, but my fafurite is da grasshoppah".

"And dat's why I want to help da erf, so da grass will grow and da grasshoppahs will come for me to play wif".

"My udder fafurite fing is trees. You has to be good to da erf so da trees will grow big and strong."

"So I says a liddle prayer and sends dem all my good vibes".

"And finally, I gives da tree a pat on its branch (cuz it doesn't has a back), and tells it what a good job itz doing. You see, itz good fur da erf, an' da erf is good for it. Itz what dey calls a symbiotic relationship."

And with that, Dante has hit the nail on the head (or his nails on the tree).  We all need to have a symbiotic relationship with our Earth.  It's the only one we've got.  So let's preserve it and it will do the same for us.

Happy Earth Day, efurryone!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: DANTE, BIG TIME!

(Biggify for Dante, Big Time)

SNORGALICIOUS SUNDAY WITH DANTE

It occurred to me that I don't usually post a lot of pictures of Dante lounging.  Even more rare are his belly shots.  Dante's underbelly is replete with thick, luscious, snorgalicious fur, and it's soft, soft like a bunny.

For your viewing pleasure, and snorgling desire, may I present to you, Dante and his tummy, taking it easy on a Sunday morn.

As the next few pictures will show, Dante has this huge, thick mass of fur just past his armpits.  It looks like he has a second mane under there.  It's the longest armpit hair I've ever seen, that's fur sure!

Finally, here's a close up of a hefty portion of the belly floof for your snorgling delight!

And with that, Dante and I wish you all a very happy, easy and snorgalicious Sunday!

DANTE: GORGEOUS IN THE GARDEN

Not only does Dante do a terrific job at fertilizing the garden, but he also serves as garden inspector and garden ornament, as well.  Last week we showed you, yet again, his fertilizing techniques.

This week, you will see that he visits every corner of the garden to see what needs tending -- and he certainly finds what he's looking for.

He also stops to adorn the garden in different spots, and allows me to take pictures to immortalize his efforts.  Dante specializes in wandering garden ornamentation.  He's thinking of going into business and renting out his services, too.  Do any of you need to spice up your garden with a bit of ginger splendour?

Behold the gallery of photos of Dante, Gorgeous in the Garden.

Dante reports that Daddy really needs to plant some grass seed, here.  He's already fertilized the area, so it should be good to go.

This is an ornamental shot.  Dante makes anything look better, even a yard full of dirt.

Dante shows exactly where the seeding needs to take place by outlining the boundary between the existing grass and the bare sod.  Doing double duty, he is also very handsome while performing this task.  Mom is even using this shot currently, as her desktop background.

This shot could be an ad for Dante's future business as garden decor for rent!

Here, Dante is checking out the other side of the yard.  He notes that the day lillies are doing quite well, but there's lots of general clean-up to do in the garden bed. 

Dante has transported himself to the back of the garden this time.  Daddy really needs to get out his rake and clean up the lawn.  And in the garden, he needs to pull out the old dead plants from last year to tidy it up.  

 

Dante strikes yet another ornamental pose to great effect.

Can you see the look of dismay on Dante's face?  Daddy really needs to get busy cleaning up this garden.  Dante can only do so much to make it look good, and at this point it's not enough!

How's this?  If you focus on Dante, you don't notice the mess too much.  He tends to draw your attention.  Great move, Dante!

And finally, Dante takes a rest after his inspection.  He's added everything that needs to be done to his report, so his Daddy can't say he didn't know about it.  The only thing in the way now is Daddy's tendency to procrastinate.

All Dante wants to know now is, how many of you out there might be interested in renting his services as a garden ornament for a day?

(Note:  Of course, he'll do it for free for his lady love Miss Camille Suzanne anytime she wants.)

Biggify any and all photos for maximum viewing pleasure.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: DANTE AND FRIEND

(Biggify for full effect)

THURSDAY IN THE GARDEN WITH DANTE

It's been quite a while since Dante has done a gardening episode.  In case you don't know, he is Secretary of Fertilization for The Society of Feline Gardeners, masterminded by Jonesie of "The Cory Cat" blog.

Now that the ground is in decent condition, Dante will demonstrate for you for the first time this year, how to properly fertilize a garden.  Caution, though -- this is not for the faint of heart.

First you must sniff out the best place in the garden to perform the fertilization ritual.  Note:  This is a good shot of Dante's pantaloons, which are often obscured by his uber-floofy tail.

Once you have located just the right spot, you can begin to dig.

Carefully position your butt end over the hole.

Then concentrate, and allow things to happen naturally.

The real work begins with the cover-up operation.

It is very important to cover the fertilizer well, so that other animals, like those evil squirrels won't disturb it.

You must come at it from every angle (leave no turd uninterred).

You can also do a little dance on top of it for good measure.  It helps to pack down the earth.

Dante is a purrfectionist and will go to extremes to get a more-than-adequate amount of coverage.

And you must give it a final sniff test to make sure that the scent isn't detectable.

Ah!  Satisfaction at last, in a job well done.

Wait for the applause.  Wait for it ...  Ah, there it is!

And take your bow!

(Note the size of those large front paws -- aren't they simply pawsome?)

For any of you who haven't quite seen enough, today we also have a video version of the fertilization process.  Just click on "Dante Does His Doody" to see the show in action. 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: SILLY DANTE!

 (Biggify for full effect)