Something positive

[firecat]

The cats slept together in the sun this afternoon, and Biscuit washed Angus's face. He didn't get annoyed until she nibbled his ear.

Comments

Re: Something positive

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

awww -- she's cleaning him already? very cool.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

Awwww :-)

[pameladean]

That's a really good sign. We have cats who have lived together for fourteen years and never washed one another.

P.

[usqueba.livejournal.com]

I always wonder how Stimpy and another cat would get along. He's so used to being The Cat.

Murrr?

[punzel.livejournal.com]

I think of you as a well-read person who uses language expertly and with great humor and nuance. Was the reference intentional (http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp01142002.html)?

Re: Murrr?

[firecat]

Thanks!

(That comic is very sad.)

The reference was actually to a meme going around where people ask each other to post something positive.

[epi-lj.livejournal.com]

Heeee. :)

The ear cleaning is usually when Bean and Brucey start to lose their composure as well.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Encouraging datapoint: When Squeak and Bat (littermates) wash each other, it almost always ends in biting. Sometimes this annoys them, sometimes they just let it go.

Re: Murrr?

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

Actually, Choo-Choo Bear is a mystical creature, not ruled by laws of biology or physics. This is never explicitly stated, but is quite clear from context; not many ordinary cats can swim through drains across the country and steal women's underwear (from other comic strips, yet!).

Once I realized that, I stopped feeling a sort of horrified fascination and started laughing my head off.

(Then again, I had the same reaction when someone explained a solid theory behind the Matrix trilogy; it wasn't very realistic, but at least it *worked*, so I was able to watch the movies again.)

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

There's something about cats and grooming and biting... I'm not sure what it is, but someone assured me that, when Chibi (my incredibly mis-named black cat) licks my beard, and then takes a strong nip of my chin, and then pulls back, he's not trying to rip my chin off, it's just part of grooming.

Re: Murrr?

[firecat]

OK, I'm relieved. Thanks!

[firecat]

Biscuit bites my nose if I'm not careful. And it must be a strong urge because 18 months worth of "OW! NO!" haven't stopped her from trying.

[elynne.livejournal.com]

Hm... okay, I'll take it more gracefully when Kitten nips me when I'm petting her, then. To her, it's a positive reaction to grooming... ;)

Re: Murrr?

[usqueba.livejournal.com]

We refer to our cat as Choo-Choo Stimp. When he's asleep or just waking up and you pick him up, he has no bones! He just dangles in your arms. Then he wakes up and his bones grow back ;)

[aquaeri.livejournal.com]

That's excellent. We've only had a bit of tentative washing of Zeki by Amber.

And their affection is quite painful: Zeki washes my nose very vigorously, and absolutely does not understand that it hurts sometimes. Amber has a pretty rough tongue when she tries, although it's not that often yet. And Nemrut starts by washing your nose, and then bites your upper lip. I yelped so loudly the first time he did it, he jumped back about half a meter.

[firecat]

Which cat is washing you in the icon? (Assuming that's you.)

[aquaeri.livejournal.com]

Oh no! My secret is out! Yes, it's me, and it's Zeki showing his affection. If you remember, I've had LJ since February, and we only got the new kitties in April, so it kinda has to be him. In fact, I don't think any photos of the new kitties have been uploaded yet (there's some messy sysadmining I can't help with, and some tedious archiving which I possibly can help with, but J has so much else to do he doesn't have time to show me how).