Despite the fact that Evie and Gabe are getting along so well, Gabe does something to Evie that’s kind of interesting if not somewhat bizarre.
He completely engulfs her head in his mouth.
The first time I saw it happen I flew into a panic yelling, “GABRIEL!!! NO!!!”, because I actually thought he was starting to eat the cat. But once I realized that of the three of us, the only one freaking out was me, I calmed down.
Then it occurred to me that maybe I was seeing things…because after all…wouldn’t Evie be the first one to go all Hibachi Chef on Gabriel and run away if he really were trying to eat her or causing her harm?
Now something that Gabe does do to Evie that we’ve become accustom to is nibbling.
And you know what?
She loves it!
In fact, she instigates it. It’s usually while he’s sleeping that she’ll approach him. At first, she’ll just lick his face…cleaning his nose, around his eyes and ears.
If that fails to achieve the results she’s after, she grabs his face and starts biting his ears.
Inevitability, he starts nibbling.
And every time he nibbles, he engulfs her head.
The second time I saw this happen I didn’t panic any less but I think I felt better somehow for realizing I wasn’t seeing things. It really was happening.
I felt even better when I realized that Evie seem perfectly fine with it.
Since there’s not one hint of aggression from Gabe and Evie seems to take it in stride, I’ve grown to accept it as just another dynamic to their relationship but I would still love to know why it happens. Is it just dominance?
I mean, once you’ve verified that the cats head actually does fit into your mouth, why would you continue to do it several times throughout the day?
If anyone wants to offer up their best Cesar Millan explanation, I’d be more than happy to hear what you think.
Well so long as he doesn’t break out BBQ sauce I guess we are all good then…..
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Gabe is mothering her (or grooming her like monkeys do … haha!). But, if you go with the Cesar theory, he may be establishing dominance over her. P-rudy was always the alpha in our house – even when we had three boy dogs. Girl cats rule.
I’m familiar with the grooming – my 2 cats do it to each other constantly but that whole head thing…. boy, you got me there.
I agree with Sistah-in-Law – Noel rules the roost at our house.
Great pics!