governor george liquor

I found varying descriptions of the significance of mutual grooming in both
books and online. Some say the "top cat" does the grooming, as a way of
enofrcing dominance by putting some of his scent on the other cat. Others
say the submissive cat grooms the top cat as a way of showing his
subservient position. Still others say mutual grooming is just an
expression of affection.

Jack is the top cat, but virtue of being older, stronger, and having a more
forceful personality. Rizzo is now the same size as Jack, and will
ultimately be larger, but is very definitely differential to Jack. Rizzo
usually starts the mutual grooming, but Jack quickly reciprocates, and they
end up slobbering all over one another, and follow that by wrestling,
chasing, and the leaving of a general swath of mild destruction.

governor george liquor

That should've been, of course, "deferential". While both Jack and Rizzo
are very smart, neither has quite gotten around to expropriating my old
college books in order to teach themselves higher math...

mgw

You mean they aren't integrated into your household?!

cathy friedmann

There was a sort of similar scenario between Demelza & (late cat) Debbie,
for a few years. Despite being several years younger, smaller & several
pounds lighter, Demelza very quickly became top cat over Debbie when I
adopted her (Demelza). (In link below, notice Debbie allowing Demelza to
swipe treats out from under her nose - bottom left pic; no, she never batted
Demelza or tried to retrieve the treats.)

After a few years of Demelza *always* initiating the mutual
grooming/play-wrestling sessions, Debbie eventually began to initiate them
about 50% of the time.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/jtpeewee/cathyscats.html

Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon

priscilla ballou

Oh, oh, oh, stop it! You're hurting me! LOL!

Priscilla

cathy friedmann

Oh, jeez, I just got it! ;-D

Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon

mgw

OK - can't resist (those of you who haven't taken calculus can stop
reading now):


A mathematician went insane and believed that he was the
differentiation operator. His friends had him placed in a mental
hospital until he got better. All day he would go around frightening
the other patients by staring at them and saying "I differentiate
you!"

One day he met a new patient; and true to form he stared at him and
said "I differentiate you!", but for once, his victim's expression
didn't change. Surprised, the mathematician marshalled his energies,
stared fiercely at the new patient and said loudly "I differentiate
you!", but still the other man had no reaction. Finally, in
frustration, the mathematician screamed out "I DIFFERENTIATE YOU!"

The new patient calmly looked up and said, "You can differentiate me
all you like: I'm e to the x."

(drum roll)

mary

This is so cute. My friend's little girl sisters do this. I had never
seen it before. I think it has to be at least partly an expression of
affection. Cheeks was here a year before she finally groomed me. I had
to grow on her!

priscilla ballou

My Caley girl will pin me down and give me a vigorous face washing, all
the while purring at the top of her lungs. She will not relent, despite
my hysterical laughter and loud protestations! Those just egg her on.
:-)

Priscilla (loves her Caley girl)

karen m.

give them time, give them time...