Messi, the Gentle Russian Puma

The way he looks and his beautiful eyes

I have a new internet crush: it is fluffy, has big paws, big mesmerizing eyes, and a cute white kissable snout. Meet…. MESSI!

Messi is a rescued puma (cougar) who lives with his loving family in a flat in Penza city, Russia. He was born on 30.10.2015, so now (oct 2019) Messi is almost 4 years old.

There are two things that make this big cat very special: its extremely loving family and the way he looks at you, so gentle – right in your soul.

The couple who takes care of Messi (Alexandr Dmitriev and Mariya Dmitriev – such sweet people) are very dedicated and you can clearly see, following their social media, that they ADORE Messi and Messi ADORES them too. These people have beautiful souls and so has their big cat (and also their other small cat).

I am in love with Messi’s beautiful way of looking at his parents. He is so so gentle!

My message to all the haters

There are people who demand that Messi should live in a sanctuary for wild animals, but I strongly doubt that he would have a better life. There he would be alone, torn from his family. Who would love him, who would brush him, who would pet him, who would listen to him (well, as you can see and hear from the Youtube videos, Messi is very talkative)?

I am extremely glad that the family will move to a house with yard, where Messi will have plenty of space, but I don’t think this was really a issue. Even if the cat lived in a flat, Alexandr and Mariya Dmitriev walk him at least twice a day and even play with frisbee.

The only thing I disagree with is an appearance in Russian TV. I think Messi was stressed and I think there are other ways to make people know about him besides taking him in a TV studio… Anyhow, it was only one time and I hope it will remain the only time.

Even though I completely agree with the way Alexandr and Mariya Dmitriev take care of Messi, I certainly don’t agree with the idea to own a wild animal. Messi is a very special case – he was ill (he even has smaller legs than normal cougars) and he was rescued AND his owners certainly don’t joke around. They even take Messi 4 times a week to a dog training facility.

They really, but really devoted all their time and interests to Messi. There are not many people who can do this. So, please, don’t own wild animals!!! Messi is a wonderful exception and please understand this fact.

Making life better for millions of people

Alexandr and Mariya post very often to their social media: on Youtube (I_am_puma) and Instagram (I_am_puma). You can also follow Messi’s Facebook Page. I literally wake up and check Instagram to see a cute photo or a lovely Instagram story with Messi. It really warms my heart!

On Youtube, in the comments of one of Messi’s videos, I once read that a woman showed her paralyzed mother these videos and when she saw them it was the only time she smiled.

I strongly believe that these clips and images bring joy to the people. It’s something really hard to find in this stressful world. Messi’s innocent eyes are a kind of promise to a better world…

He already had this look when he was just a little cub…

Also, the love that the couple shows towards Messi, their truthful way of behaving and living their lives represent a hope that nice people still exist.

In this world, with all the plastic and twerking and greasy foods, loathsome reality shows, people who are desperate for money and fame and all that cultural, political and social garbage, Messi is a ray of light. And I mean it.

So, if you have the possibility, give a gift to Messi!

There are two options: a donation website (for I_am_puma) or via Paypal (PayPal e-mail: JIEHNH@yandex.ru).

Learn Russian with Messi

Some videos have subtitles, but mostly don’t. I really hope in the future Alexandr and Mariya will add English subtitles because I would really like to learn a few words by listening them talk while watching Messi.

Although that I love Alexandr, Messi’s gentle owner, I also hope that Mariya, his beautiful wife, will appear in more videos.

I hope Messi will live a long happy life and Alexandr and Mariya will have a wonderful life as well! Thank you for sharing Messi with us!

P.S. Messi made me think that pumas come from Atlantis, so I wrote this post: