DANTE: LION ON THE GREEN

There's nothing like the sight of bright red fur against the deep green of the grass! It's a sight that will never cease to warm my heart. Even before Dante, I had another piece of fine feline red fluff named Tommy, and my best memories of him are when he was roaming around in the back yard, his red coat visible amongst the greenery, at only a glance.

We reseeded our lawn last year, and it has grown well in some spots and not in others, so it's overall appearance is rather scruffy and untamed. The cats love the long grass, though, as it helps them to feel like the lions they are, maneuveuring through the tall stalks of the jungle. It gives them more camouflage, although Dante tends to be a beacon of bright light from any vantagepoint.

So here's my Dante lion, lying on the green for all to see!

ONLY THE SHADOW KNOWS!

Here is a little LOL-story starring Dante (as himself) and our neighbour-kitty Figaro as Shadow Kitty. Dante also serves as narrator for the story, and shows his strength of character and restraint by standing back to allow Shadow Kitty to purrtake of his treats (instead of chasing him away as usual).

Figaro is, himself, the ultimate catmouflage and is cast purrfectly as the cat who dwells in shadow.

We hope you enjoy their tale.

DYNAMITE DANTE!

My Dante is dynamite, in real life and as subject for the camera. Although his purrsonality is pure Maine Coon and he's as sweet as can be, he has quite the visual impact. His images are explosive, though his tempurrament is not.

I think it's his regal bearing (another Maine Coon trait) mixed with the fiery red coat that makes him such a stunning sight. His sweetness is unsurpassed, too. He just loves to give and get kisses. Although he's not able to pucker them, he will brush his lips against yours to give you a kiss. Dante has a cute little lower lip that must be very sensitive to touch so he enjoys the sensation of kissing.

What could be better than a handsome guy who loves to kiss? DYN-O-MITE!

CANDID DANTE

Here are some candid shots of Dante relaxing on the deck bench and cleaning his butt while he's at it! Nothing like a good butt-licking after a hard day of roaming the yard.

Their grooming pawsitions never cease to amaze me. The flexibility of cats is furnomenal -- not to mention their penchant for cleanliness. So with me with my camera, and Dante shamelessly unaware, his purrimping and purreening become a spectator sport for all to see!

DANTE W.O.W. (Wordless on Wednesday)

DANTE IN THE EARLY MORNING

These are pictures I took of Dante early yesterday morning. The sun was casting shadows across everything in the yard, including my ginger beast. The light illuminated the edges of his fur and almost made him look angelic (though I know diffurently, of course!).

The various angles of the sun during the day play paintbrush with Dante's lush coat. As the picture in his banner will illustrate, the evening sun can just light him on fire and intensify the red. The morning sun, however, leaves him a muter shade of rusty orange.

At any time of day, Dante is always good fodder for the lens of my camera with his kaleidoscope fur.

DANTE BEHELD!

PETSMART CUSTOMER'S BEHOLDIN'


PETSMART LADY'S BEHOLDIN'


UNCLE HUGH'S BEHOLDIN'


TEEN NEIGHBOUR ERIKA'S BEHOLDIN' (ME DOWN!)


FRIEND (AND COON BREEDER) DELLA'S BEHOLDIN'


CRAZY CAT LADY CARM'S BEHOLDIN'


KID NEIGHBOUR ZACH'S BEHOLDIN'


FRIEND'S DAUGHTER SARAH'S BEHOLDIN'


TEEN NEIGHBOUR ERIKA'S BEHOLDIN'


DADA'S DRESSED AND BEHOLDIN'


FRIEND MARILYN'S BEHOLDIN'


MAMA'S BEHOLDIN'


DADA'S UNDRESSED AND BEHOLDIN'


TEEN NEIGHBOUR ERIKA'S BEHOLDIN'


FRIEND(AND NEIGHBOUR)SUSAN'S BEHOLDIN'


PETSMART'S ADRIAN'S BEHOLDIN'


BEHOLD! DANTE IS BEHOLDEN TO ALL WHO HAVE HELD AND BEHELD HIM OVER THE YEARS.