Thanks to classic Disney movies, many of us will have spent our childhoods dreaming of having a wild animal as a sidekick.

While this might not be possible in the real world, this special breed of cat that looks just like a lion might be the next best thing.

Maine Coon cats have long faces with strong jaws – making them look like lions, or like humans according to some – and people are falling in love with their striking appearance.

A breeder who owns more than 50 Maine Coons has delighted her social media following by sharing adorable photos of their interesting looks.

Tatiana Rastorgueva, 45, from Moscow, Russia is a professional cat breeder, as well as a full-time kindergarten teacher.

The animal-lover lives with husband Vladimir, 47, and currently houses 50 Maine Coon felines in their home.

‘I love animals very much, cats have always been a part of my life but I began professionally breeding them in 2002,’ says Tatiana.

‘Maine Coons captured my heart completely, they are such an amazing breed; you can talk about them endlessly, but it’s better to have such a friend at home.

‘They are smart and obedient and loyal companions. They can rightfully be called “labradors of the cat world”.

‘I like what I do, I can say that owning cats is my hobby.

‘I bought my first sires in a Dutch nursery, others from an Austrian and Polish one, and also some of them were brought from America.’

But if you fancy getting a mini ‘lion’ for yourself, be prepared to put in the work – as Tatiana explains that Maine Coon cats require a lot of time – and breeding them is a painstaking process.

‘Each breeder has his own vision of the breed and selects individuals for further selection according to the traits that are important to them,’ she explains.

‘I can say that working with the breed, I focused on the type of Maine Coon that I like, that’s why now I have a recognisable face and the type of my cattery.

‘I have spent more than 18 years on the formation of this breed in the form in which I have them now, this is the result of painstaking selection work.’

Although they are cats, her Main Coons actually act more like dogs, and are known to play fetch, as well as protect their owners.

‘Maine Coons have a lot of dog habits,’ she says. ‘They love to fetch, often act as guards and walk beautifully on a leash next to the owner.

‘This is a cat with a dog’s soul and a human look.’

Tatiana launched an Instagram page in 2015, where she regularly shares photos of her adorable pets to 186,000 followers.

Fans say the cats are ridiculously cute and they are always gushing over their unique features.

Some say that her cats have a human appearance, while others think they look like mystical creatures or lions.

‘People tell me my Maine Coons look similar to humans, that this cat contains a human soul,’ she says.

‘Many people write that they are very similar to mythical animals.

‘They are amazing, amazing, friendly, very smart, capable and have many talents hidden in them.

‘You can talk to them, they understand everything, they are companions.

‘Maine Coons are the best companion for humans.’

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