LACOCOON DANTE: LION OR MISSING LYNX?

I noticed another development in Dante's facial appearance just the other day.  The fur flowing from his cheek area was becoming more pronounced and pointed.  Take a look.

It's like these points of fur were separating from the rest of his mane and now he looked much more lynx than lion!

So, I did some comparison shots.

Maine Coons evolved from European cats that were brought over by early settlers, but there has been a long held myth (apparently genetically impossible) that they mated with wildcats, like the lynx.  However, between the cheek tufts and the ear tufts, it's otherwise tuft to explain.

Now, most folks think Dante looks like a lion, and I would agree there are significant similarities there, too. 

So what do you think?  Is Dante a lion, a lynx or something in-between?  Perhaps even the 'missing lynx' of the feline variety?

Leonine Dante

Lynxified Dante

Maybe Dante's a whole new species.
 A 'lynxion' PURRhaps?

What say you?

DANTE: MORE OR LESS?

This is Dante more or less.  I tend to think more of Dante is always a good thing, but he doesn't necessarily agree.

Dante in full coat is a sight to behold.  He's definitely ready for winter.

"Yoo try luggin' around all dis fur!", exclaims Dante.  "I kin hardly wait 'til Spring."

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH DANTE: PROFILE IN PULCHRITUDE!

THURSDAY IN THE GARDEN WITH DANTE: FALL IS ALL AROUND

Dante is out in the back yard doing his autumn inspection.  He likes to make note of all the changes as they occur.

"Heer I am on da patio wif leafs scattered all around me", says Dante.

"An' heer is my fafurite furtilizin' spot between the crabappull and mapull trees near da fence.  Sum of da leafs is yellow, sum is red and sum is brown."

"Dis is da sunset mapull tree.  It's verreh late turnin' colour dis yeer.  Yoo can see that it's still mostly green, but dere are definitely hints of red."

So, Dante thought he would shake things up, and help the mapull leaves to fall.

"Sumtimes yoo hasta help naychur along a liddle", says he.  "I'm gonna go an' check out da udder side of da yard now."



So Dante saunters over to "the other side".  He's too busy inspecting the grass to notice the beautiful red Manitoba maple behind him.

"Hmmm, grasses!  Dey is pretty tall and green still.  Dey do look tasty, I mus' say."

"Dey shur smell good, too!  Wait, is dat a bug I see?"

Dante is so bugged out he can't focus on anything else right now.

 Then finally, he starts to take a look around.

"Wow!", he says.  When yoo steps back an' reely takes a good look ...

... Fall is all around!!!"

We live in an area that backs on a wooded ravine, so not only do we get to enjoy the beauty of the trees in our own yard, but we get a full autumn panorama!  But, of course, no panorama is complete without Dante right smack dab in the middle.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH DANTE: 'TOCK IT TO YA!

EASY ON SUNDAY WITH DANTE: EASY ON THE EYES!

Dante's out on the back deck, just chillin'!  Of course, it's a little easier to chill now that the weather is so much cooler. 

One thing for sure, Dante is always 'easy on the eyes', so looking at him shouldn't be too difficult.   Let's take a close look at the big guy -- all 21 lbs. of him.  Like New Orleans, Dante is just one "Big Easy".   So relax and enjoy!

Dante says "Has a good Sunday, effuryone!"

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH DANTE: IN THE AUTUMN SUN