Muckin' Around

No stranger to making a mess, here you can see Dave digging through his basket of toys, trying to find the best one. He tends to play with a certain toy for a week or so, then display ambivalence towards it. But today he had a hankering for a toy he used to play with, so he was searching for it.

Dave's evening

Dave has spent the evening doing some of the things he does best. He has been napping, knocking over his water bowl while attempting to bury his food, and jumping onto the kitchen counter when he is not supposed to. He can be a goofball like that sometimes! But that is what you sign up for when you live with Dave. 

Jabba the Dave, Volume II

Below you can see another occurrence of Jabba the Dave, among the definitive Dave poses. It's a good way for Dave to position himself when he wants to lick his belly or hind legs. As a cat, that is something he is supposed to do from time to time, and Dave has found this to be the most efficient way to do it. Dave's quest for efficiency and new ways of doing things doesn't stop with creative napping. Although we all know that napping is Dave's principal pursuit, it is important to realize that he uses his creativity in other areas of life as well. He is not just a one-trick pony. That's where this pose comes in handy.

Dave and Organic Chemistry

There is a concept in organic chemistry called conformational isomerism. The idea is that two different molecules can be made up of the exact same atoms, chemically bonded in the same ways, yet take slightly different forms. These different forms are called conformations. Conformations still have the same molecular formula, and maintain the integrity of their chemical bonds, but they act differently. For example, a certain molecule might be part of a chemical reaction, but it may have to be in a certain conformation in order to be part of the reaction. Any time it is in another conformation, it won't react. 

Now, what does this have to do with The Dafe? You came here to read about The Dafe, did you not? Well, this is very relevant to Dave. When Dave adopts different napping positions, he is in effect adopting different conformations. When he adopts a certain napping position, he is the same Dave, made up of the same matter, and connected together in the same way that he always has been, but he reacts with the world around him differently depending on what conformation he has adopted.

For example, he might be splayed out on the bed, without a care in the world. This would not be a great time to attempt to pet Dave. If you petted his belly while in this position, you would likely find yourself scratched in short order.

Alternatively, he might be a RocketDave, at his most aerodynamic, ready for liftoff. In this case, you could probably pet Dave, but he still wouldn't be happy about it. He is focused on being a RocketDave here, so you shouldn't bother him.

RocketDave! I miss the earth so much! I miss my wife!

If you want to know when a good time to pet Dave would be, this would be one. He is performing The Crevasse here, where comfort and warmth are his top priorities. You would certainly be welcome to aid him in these pursuits by providing Dave with a headrub. Dave is all about the headrubs.

Despite the fact that Dave adopts so many different conformations at different times, at the end of the day, when it is time to be counted, Dave is the same Dave no matter what his current conformation is.

RocketDave, Volume II

This RocketDave is not quite ready for liftoff, because in this instance Dave took the form of a rocket while draped over a pile of blanket and pillow. This definitely still qualifies as a RocketDave though, although it could easily be mistaken for a TobogganDave. You might think Dave is getting a little sloppy when you look at this pose, but a keen Dave observer knows that Dave's goal is comfort. It might not look like the perfect RocketDave, but it sure does look comfortable.

And I think it's gonna be a long, long time ‘til touch down brings me round again to find!

Dave's roommate

Dave doesn't have the house to himself, as he lives with another cat. He is named Jack. They get along well for the most part, but Jack is not always amused by Dave's napping strategies, particularly when he feels that they violate his personal space. Below, Dave can be seen employing one of his sloppier strategies, while Jack sits like a normal cat and judges Dave. With the whole couch and a variety of other napping locations available, Jack doesn't appreciate it when Dave insists on napping so close to him.