Meet a majestic Maine Coon cat residing in the city of Chicago. This feline is known for his regal appearance and charming personality, which is typical of his breed. He takes his royalty seriously and accessorizes himself with exquisite crowns made from the finest artificial flowers. Leo has become an internet sensation on Instagram with his captivating pictures that showcase his unique style and beauty. However, he is not one to hog the spotlight alone as he happily shares it with his furry siblings – Lucy, Ori, Birdie, Bunnie, and Kota. Stay tuned to learn more about Leo and his adorable companions.
Can you tell me a bit about Leo’s personality?
Sure thing! Meet Leonidas, also known as Leo, a 6-year-old cat who weighs an impressive 21 lbs. Leo is generally a laid-back feline who loves to chill out on the couch or hang out in our catio. But whenever he’s feeling peckish or in need of some TLC, he can get pretty insistent and vocal, often meowing non-stop until his wishes are fulfilled. He’s even been known to throw some headbutts and paw pokes to make his intentions crystal clear.
Have you ever wondered how Leo became a flower crown model? Well, let me tell you that it’s not that he loves wearing them or anything, and the same goes for any cat really. However, Leo is such a great sport because he knows he’ll receive treats afterwards. It’s like paying a human model with money, only in Leo’s case, it’s with treats. Not all cats are okay with this kind of thing though, even with treats as incentive. Among my other cats, only Leo seems to be patient enough for it. Also, the snapshots you see are only taken quickly because the crown doesn’t stay on for more than 5-10 seconds before I take it off and reward Leo with treats. As for the crowns themselves, I don’t make them myself. I usually buy them from my friend Yarely who owns an IG account called @freyasfloralco. She’s amazing at creating faux flower crowns!
Would you mind telling me a bit about your furry companions, including Lucy, Ori, Birdie, Bunnie, and Kota?
Lucy, the lovely gray feline, came into my life at the age of 5 after being adopted from PAWS Chicago. Her previous family had given her the name Lucy, which I continued to use as she already responded to it. At 11 years old, she remains my first cat and is quite self-sufficient. Lucy knows how to get what she wants, whether it’s letting me know she’s hungry or thirsty by poking me or requesting water from the faucet. She also enjoys snuggling on a warm lap and often jumps up next to me when I’m on the couch. Additionally, Lucy is open to new feline friends, as long as they don’t bother her.
As I searched for a new feline companion, I stumbled upon Ori (a Bengal breed) at Leap of Faith Bengals based in California. I was on the hunt for a name that would complement Leonidas, inspired by Greek mythology. Hence, I opted for Orion. However, I wanted a name that was brief and simple, so I chose a moniker that could be shortened. Now, after three years, Ori has grown into an energetic kitty, always speeding on his cat wheel. He’s like the younger brother who never seems to tire of playing with his older siblings Leo and Lucy, sometimes receiving a gentle smack when they’re not in the mood for his shenanigans. But don’t be fooled by his playful nature, as Ori is also an exceptional foster brother. He’s caring and protective towards every foster cat and kitten we take in, often cuddling and grooming them.
The feline duo that goes by the names of Birdie and Bunnie had originally been under my care as foster pets this year. However, I ended up adopting them myself, which is what we fondly refer to as “foster failures.” Their previous monikers were Laverne and Shirley, but the rescue already had a kitten named Shirley, so I had to come up with new names for them. Birdie earned her moniker due to her amusing habit of occasionally perching on our shoulders like a bird, while I named Bunnie after her tendency to hop over whenever we caught her attention. Interestingly, another family had almost finalized their adoption, but they eventually backed out at the last minute. I couldn’t bring myself to part with these two lovely creatures, so I decided to keep them. They are incredibly affectionate and have completely won me over with their charming personalities. Additionally, they get along splendidly with the other cats, making them an ideal addition to my household.
Could you provide a definition for a working cat?
Introducing my furry friend, Kota, who has a unique personality of thinking he’s a cat. I chose the name Kota simply because it sounded lovely to me. My four-year-old pooch has become the perfect companion for foster cats as he makes them feel at ease in the presence of dogs. Kota enjoys spending time with feline friends over other dogs and follows me everywhere I go. I can’t imagine life without him by my side.
Leo may look serious in photos, but he has a soft side that only those close to him know. This mama’s boy loves being held like a baby, lying on his back on my lap, and even being swung over my shoulder while I’m standing up. He’s a loyal companion and brings joy to my life every day.
I just want to say a big thank you to Jane for sparing some time to chat with me about her lovely pets and for granting me permission to post their pictures on our Cattitude Daily social media page. Please feel free to share these adorable photos with your friends who are also fond of feline companionship. Additionally, if you’re eager to see more of Leo, Lucy, Ori, Birdie, Bunnie, and Kota, don’t forget to follow them on Instagram.
Leo, the beloved Maine Coon, has an Instagram page that displays a delightful assortment of visuals that highlight his cute yet regal demeanor.