Watch the couple who lives with their two-year-old cougar
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Alexandr Dmitriev and his wife, Mariya live in their studio apartment in Penza, Russia with their two-year-old cougar.
In 2016, the couple decided to adopt a young cougar called Messi for £2600 from a nearby petting zoo.
The couple gets Messi washed in the bath, trim his nails, and check his teeth every day so he doesn’t create a mess.
Messi usually eats 1.5kg of the mixture and his daily food intake costs the couple about 500-600 rubles.
Alexandr told Barcroft TV: “We give him different types of meat so that he can get all the necessary vitamins and micronutrients.”
The couple has developed an amazing bond with Messi. He even sleeps right next to their bed every night and loves playing football with Alexandr and Mariya in the living room.
The couple says it is not at all dangerous living with Messi as he has convinced them with his behaviour that he’s a full member of their family.
Alexandr said: “We trust our pet 100 percent. We live together, sleep together. He convinced us with his behaviour that he’s a full member of our family and that he wouldn’t be doing anything bad apart from some small naughty things.
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“We’re also quite lucky because when he’s playing he’s not sticking his claws out. He’s biting very slightly too. When he’s really into playing, it’s enough to just say ‘ouch’ for him to stop doing that.”
Messi is half the size of a regular cougar as he has a few health issues but he is very kind and loves meeting new people.
The couple shares pictures and videos of Messi on their social media account. Alexandr said: “We love him a lot because he’s very affectionate.
It was love at first sight. He’s an amazing cat, loyal and very kind.”
“You love someone just because you love them. Not for their beautiful eyes or an amazing fluffy tail. You just love them because Messi is Messi.”