King Darius

In February 2015 I became the care provider and happy subject of the orphaned Persian boy, Darius. He needed grooming the crazy cat lady said.  As soon as he settled in I was to take him to Sierra Veterinary clinic groomers to get a "Lion Cut"  and remove his mats.  Well, when I reached down to pet him as he strolled out of the carrier, I went into a major anxiety attack.  He was ONE BIG MAT, from his head to the base of his tail.  I took him for grooming the very next day, because I was afraid to touch him for fear of hurting him with all those mats!  i do not have a "before picture" but his appearance really did not reveal the extent of the matting anyway.  It was the feel that revealed that there was no part of his body where there were no mats!
 Here are some pictures of how he looked after  his trip to the groomers.  Note that the skin shows, not because they aren't good groomers but because that is how "deep" the matting went in those places.

Many mats went to the skin

Poor Darius had what was a modified Lion clip, since they could not leave a full mane.  The mats went clear up his head and ears.  Fortunately he grew out fairly quickly. And he adored being brushed gently at first and then as he grew out, a little more vigorously.
Here he is just 3 weeks later and before his big move from the cat house to the Main house and cat lanai. He is enjoying his brushing on my lap and showing off his legs that had less matting so could have a longer legging.  These pictures also show how gorgeous his tail was.  It also survived with little matting.



Soon after these pictures were taken Darius moved to the main house, and lived in the lanai but within days was integrating into the household.  I think my girls thought he was another Mika and not really a cat.
And finally there he is reclining on the  couch/throne overseeing all his kingdom, concubines and servant.

Moving in

Meeting the girls

In the cat bed on the desk

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Waiting for a call on the desk next to Winnie in the bed

On the couch surveying his domain

Darius was my first experience with a Persian, and I was smitten.  Once he was displayed at Petco for adoptions he of course found a home right away.  It was a good thing, because if it had taken over a month I would have kept him.  If he is ever returned I am on the waiting list to adopt him.

Below is the picture and description that was posted on the bulletin board at Petco.

Darius

Darius is a beautiful 5 + year old Persian “king” whose person passed away.  Darius came to us with mats all over his body.  Now, with his “lion” cut provided by Sierra Vet Clinics’ talented and skilled staff he grooms himself and insists that his foster mom brush him twice a day.  He is loving, and would love to have his own purrsonal purrson to keep him groomed, fed, (he likes to be led to the food area and petted at the start of meals.)  He may get along with mellow dogs, but would do best as an only cat. Yes he is a high maintenance boy, as are most kings.  He is up to date on his shots, an indoor only cat, and will require periodic trips to the groomer to maintain his beautiful coat.  For more information on adoption or sponsoring Darius, please contact Marian at Crazicatladi@comcast.net or call at 209-401-4773.

Then in November crazy cat lady sent me this photo with the caption "guess who":

Darius in his new home

Looks happy so it is not likely he will be returned.