Hi everyone, Katie here.
Yesterday we gave you a glimpse into the
Showdown At The KT Corral. Our friend, Michelle, shared an interesting link with us in the comments.
I've been going about my daily townhouse business thinking Waffles Too was all show and no go. After all, every time he confronts me and I give him the look, the hiss or even the paw, he just rolls over. Glogirly thought this meant he was showing his submissive side. Like crying,"Uncle! Uncle!"
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| The Waffles Too Drop-N-Roll (A) |
The article Michelle shared, from Pam Johnson-Bennett's
Cat Behavior Associates, definitely cast
doubt on Glogirly's theory. She explained how a cat rolling over can mean a number of different things based on the context of the the situation. But submission wasn't one of them!
Pam writes, "Why a cat would expose his belly depends on the immediate circumstances in which he finds himself. If he’s in a face-off with another cat, rolling over onto his side to expose his belly isn’t a sign of submission, but rather, the ultimate defensive reaction which communicates to the opponent that all weapons (teeth and all claws) will be engaged if a fight is to become physical." Click for full article.
Well Glogirly immediately sought out some expert opinions. She went to the source...where she goes for advice on ALL things Cat and otherwise. You got it, Facebook. Some of you may have even joined in the conversation.
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| The Waffles Too Drop-N-Roll (B) |
Bottom line? Pam's article really makes a lot of sense. You see, whenever Waffles Too does the drop-n-roll, one of two things follow. Either I take a couple steps back and then walk away or Waffles Too catapults himself out of the situation, darting away from me at warp speed.
I told Glogirly to take it easy. W2 isn't going on the attack. He's a kitten who's just testing the boundaries. Like when he jumps up on the forbidden kitchen counter and Glogirly gives him a firm NO, he's testing ME and how far he can go before I lay one on him. He's just learning. Slowly. Oh so slowly.
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| The Waffles Too Drop-N-Roll (C) |
Thanks to all of our friends who contributed to the Facebook conversation! If you'd like to join in, you can friend Glogirly
HERE. Just don't be concerned that everyone calls her Debbie-Something.
I sure wish the cat behaviorists out there could tell me how to make the jazz hands stop.
