He’s Still Got It
Woman in the Middle | January 25, 2016Last week, for some reason, Nox was determined to get Blackie to play with him. Blackie, old man that he is, was having none of it. The hisses of an annoyed Blackie were common on Monday and Tuesday, and we were getting concerned that Nox was picking on the old guy, in a run up to trying to become the dominant cat, or at least higher in the pecking order than Blackie.
It all came to a head Wednesday morning. One again, Nox batted at Blackie, and Blackie gave a warning hiss. Blackie stood up and walked to the back sliding glass doors, sat down and stared outside. I watched as Nox actually stalked Blackie all the way to the doors. Nox walked up beside Blackie and sat down about 12 inches away, looking at the Old Guy. Blackie deliberately turned his head and gave Nox THE LOOK. I have no idea what was in that look, but what went down next was hilarious.
Nox absorbed THE LOOK for about two seconds, and then jerked his head back liked he had been bopped on the nose. He took a step back, absorbed the look for another two seconds, and jerked his head back again like he had been bopped, hard. He then turned away, walked away for two or so feet, and plopped down on the floor with his back towards Blackie.
We have had no further incidents. of Nox trying to play with Blackie. It is very clear who the dominant cat is. The message Blackie sent to Nox with THE LOOK was also very clear, whatever that message was. Although, I think we can guess.
This happened with my old black cat Jake and youngster Morgan when she was young. Morgan would try to engage Jake in play and he responded with a monster hiss and a stare. She would back down. One day she touched him (egad!). He bopped her on the head and it never happened again. Prior to breakfast they would have an air boxing match with no physical contact for about 3 or 4 seconds occasionally but she never pestered him to play. I think there is a respect for age in the species. I’ve seen it before. Sometimes the older cat becomes less dominant but there is always a respect from the younger cats.
I’m glad that Blackie stood his ground! Good for him!
Good one Blackie for standing his ground and telling Nox who is top cat