Guest Appearance: LeiLei, Volume VII - RocketLeiLei

The similarities between LeiLei and her colleagues only continue to mount. Here you can see that she has adopted the RocketDave pose, one of Dave's favorites. 

At this point, you might begin to wonder if LeiLei is just copying the strategies of other cats, but that would be the wrong way to think about it. In fact, Dave's impetus for developing creative napping strategies goes far beyond a mere desire to be comfortable. He wants to share his inventions and discoveries with other cats all around the globe, so that they too can be comfortable. He is glad that LeiLei has found comfort in the RocketDave pose. 

After the Excitement

Christmas morning is a time for blowing minds with amazing new toys and playthings. But after all the excitement, you end up with a bunch of wrapping paper and depressingly empty boxes that once held such promise. Christmas morning is the best morning of the year, but Christmas evening is the furthest you will ever be from the next Christmas morning. Dave is not immune to human-like waves of emotions like this. 

Here you can see him disappointed to find no tuna in this box. Whatever tuna or toys it once held are long gone, or at least stuck underneath the furnace. Even Jack can't bring himself to get in this box. 

Late Morning Rest

After a very exciting Christmas morning, Dave is now resting comfortably on his chair. Holidays are great days for napping. The reason for that is that all days are good for napping. 

Dave celebrating Christmas

Christmas is probably Dave's favorite day of the year. He gets to open presents, a joyful and exciting activity. And then he can play with his gifts, nap and eat food for the rest of the day. There is no better day than Christmas. 

A Mysterious Arrival!

A mysterious package has arrived in Dave's humble abode, and not a moment too soon! Christmas morn is nearly upon us, and Dave was beginning to worry that his bulk shipment of tunafish was not going to arrive in time for his favorite day of the year. 

Too Close to the Sun

As you can see here, one of the cats was so excited about the tree that he accidentally knocked it over. It might have been Dave trying to drink water out of it, or it might have been Jack trying to jump on top of it from the nearby cat tree. Either way, we clearly have a budding lumberjack on our hands. 

We may never know the culprit. 

Seeking a New Water Source

Every year, Christmas brings many pleasures back into Dave's life. Winter is already one of Dave's favorite seasons, but it is the presence of the tree indoors that really makes the Christmas season so great. Dave is kept indoors for the vast majority of his time these days, and he misses the outdoors from time to time. Bringing a tree indoors delights Dave's senses of smell and sight. It really ties the room together. 

Something else an indoor tree offers is a potential untapped source of water. Dave, well-known to be an explorer at heart, knows the importance of water. Life itself is not possible without it. That is one reason Dave wants to travel to space. 

Hello @NASA_Orion, when is your next launch? I would like to be on it. Here is my application. http://t.co/QS8Bbx4eZA
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) December 6, 2014

Enjoying a Christmas Classic

Here you can see The Dafe enjoying one of his favorite Christmas films. He is a great connoisseur of Christmas films, and eagerly looks forward to watching them every December. 

Can you tell which film Dave is enjoying here? It is one that reminds him of the frequent shenanigans he used to pull when he lived on the mean streets of Iowa. In fact, this film was set in a large Midwestern city not too far from Dave's homeland, and it also features one of Dave's favorite actors of all time. 

Admiring Their Tree

Very proud of their new tree, Dave and Jack have spent much time gazing upon it lately. Jack especially likes sitting on the strand of white lights that runs along the floor to the tree. He is a fan of such lights. 

A New Christmas Tree

The photograph of Dave and the Christmas tree from earlier this week was a historical one, capturing Dave celebrating the 2013 Christmas season. Now, Dave and Jack have received their tree for this year, and they had quite forgotten that such an exciting development awaited them! 

They were excited to sniff the tree. 

Dave celebrating the Christmas season, Volume II

Dave is not one of those cats who just celebrates Christmas on one day. He likes to celebrate it for the whole season. There is no better time for naps and eating food than the Christmas season, says Dave. Here you can see Dave lumbering towards his Christmas tree. It does not have any presents (food) for Dave yet, but maybe it will soon!

Dave celebrating the Christmas season

Dave greatly enjoys holidays, especially now that he gets to spend his winter months indoors. One way he likes to celebrate is by watching holiday-relevant films. For example, on Groundhog Day, he might watch the film Groundhog Day. Here, you can see him viewing Christmas Vacation, with the great Chevy Chase. 

Guest Appearance: LeiLei, Volume VI

It was originally thought that LeiLei was truly her own cat, one with only minimal similarities with other cats. But this has proven to be an incorrect assumption. She has been witnessed adopting Dave-like napping strategies (LeiLei, The Dafe). She has been seen investigating the same things Dave likes to investigate (LeiLei, The Dafe). She has even been found enjoying her time in a confined space, much like Jack does (LeiLei, Jack).

But today, LeiLei has outdone herself yet again. This time, she was found taking a break from studying, in a very Goldie-like way. 

Snow on the Ground

Dave loves to investigate things, as you know. New things stimulate his mind, relax him, and help put him in the creative mindset necessary to invent new napping strategies. One of his favorite muses is snow on the ground. He doesn't get to see it very often. In fact, for much of the year snow is a distant memory, and Dave doesn't think about it much. But when it comes, Dave gets excited.

A Snow Day for Dave

Dave loves the winter, especially now that he no longer lives on the mean streets of Iowa. Those streets were bitterly cold in the winter months, but now that Dave resides indoors permanently, Dave loves a good snowstorm. He finds the slow precipitation truly mesmerizing, and considers it a form of art created by nature.

Jack in the Box, Volume III

Jack loves being in any kind of box just about all the time, but the best time of all to be in a box is the winter time. There is no better way to protect oneself from the elements than to rest in a box. 

Here you can see Jack emerging from a box after a pleasant, restful nap that he enjoyed greatly. He also enjoys getting in this box because Dave, who can be a rascal at times, cannot fit in it.

CSI: Dave, Volume XIV

One of the hallmarks of any great detective is being able to peer at something without being seen yourself. Dave too has this ability, using nearby objects such as the arm of a chair to hide his true intentions. 

Someone looking at Dave from the front of the chair would assume that he was napping, but aha!, he is not. He is actually looking towards the other side of the room.

Belly Rub Time

Dave is a cat with many passions: food, naps, exploring, guarding the home, head rubs, traveling the world, eating food, and many others. One thing that Dave is not too crazy about is having his belly rubbed. 

When someone rubs Dave's belly, sometimes Dave likes it, sometimes he merely allows it, and sometimes he lashes out against the person responsible for the ill-fated attempt to rub his belly. 

The third category of potential outcomes has led to a system wherein potential belly-rubbers know they shouldn't use their hands to rub Dave's belly. A socked foot, however, is the perfect belly-rub tool, protecting the belly-rubber from any explosive response from Dave. 

Ideal Warmth and Comfort

Here you can see Dave on what might be his favorite napping location of all. The opportunity to use this napping location only presents itself occasionally, but Dave is always ready to capitalize for a great nap. A lesser cat might not even notice the opportunity until too late. 

What you see here is a napping location that already has a similar temperature to Dave's body, and is also extremely comfortable. There is one other drawback though - the object is not stationary. This may be what caused Dave's concerned facial expression in this photo. 

Alpacas Again

Yesterday, you may have seen that Dave has extensive thoughts on alpacas. But Dave has taken his dedication to the end of alpaca oppression a step further. He thinks far too little attention has been paid to their plight.

I am starting an organization dedicated to freeing #alpacas from oppression. It will be called People for Ending the Torture of Alpacas.
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) November 29, 2014

If you would like to join Dave's group, contact him on Twitter or at PeopleEndingTortureofAlpacas@gmail.com.

Alpacas

Recently, Dave has expressed some thoughts on alpacas, animals that resemble small llamas.

Is there anything better than an #alpaca? Yes, a cat.
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) November 11, 2014

Most alpacas live in South America, and frankly, look a little ridiculous.

What a silly looking animal. pic.twitter.com/Dt0spPwItA
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) November 11, 2014

Dave has some disagreements with alpacas.

Why is it wearing a leash!?!?!! I would refuse to do such a thing.
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) November 13, 2014

 And he feels quite strongly on the subject.

No self-respecting cat would put up with being LEASHED, and #alpacas shouldn't either. Like a mere dog! pic.twitter.com/xAcxftswyE
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) November 13, 2014

But Dave hasn't given up hope for the alpacas. He will fight for their rights, much as he would fight for his own rights if they were threatened.

I hope that one day I can save all the #alpacas from their current oppressed existence. I will persevere. pic.twitter.com/sN0X1hiNcd
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) November 25, 2014

Guest Appearance: LeiLei, Volume V

Dave is not the only cat in the world with a penchant for goofballery. LeiLei, one of Dave's colleagues who lives in a different home, also displays some goofball tendencies from time to time. In this case you can see LeiLei either pretending to not know which way is up or down, or actually getting confused about which way is up or down. 

Probably pretending.

Dave Wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving

Dave encourages you to enjoy this day of Thanksgiving. He is grateful for all the napping opportunities he has had this year (such as this, this, and this). He is also grateful for all the food he has been able to eat this year. 

He knows that a lot of cats, much like his younger self, don't always have the same napping and feeding opportunities that Dave now has on a daily basis. Below you will find an example of the type of napping strategy that Dave plans to employ today. 

Tight Quarters

Dave may be a robust fellow, but he will fit himself into some tight quarters if he thinks he can get a good nap out of it. You can see here that he doesn't really fit in this napping location, but he persevered and napped there anyway. 

RocketDave, Volume XI - Perspective

One of the great advantages of the RocketDave pose is that it can be performed anywhere, due to its compact nature. Thus, it is not restricted to locations with large surface areas, like the Conch and some other strategies are. 

This provides Dave with the opportunity to perch his Rocket-self on a great vantage point. This makes Dave's dream of being a Rocket even more real. His physical form is like a Rocket, and he also feels like he is up in the air like a Rocket. 

A New "Couch"

Dave has been longing for a new couch lately. His current residence has only a futon, which we all know is not a couch at all. 

So you can imagine how excited Dave was today when he thought he saw a new couch had replaced the old futon. He immediately hopped onto it to perform the traditional inaugural nap, but he was disturbed by what he found when his paws met the "couch." It was not a new couch at all, but merely the same old futon with a new cover. 

As disappointed as Dave was, he was glad to have a change in scenery, however slight. He also is a fan of the new pillows. Though he deemed it no longer appropriate to perform the traditional inaugural nap - that is reserved for new couches or beds, not merely updated ones - Dave decided to celebrate the occasion by adopting his famed "Jabba the Dave" pose. 

Guest Appearance: LeiLei, Volume IV

LeiLei has been keeping a low profile lately. She is slightly more demure than Dave tends to be, but not overly so. She is much more likely to be found on a shelf in the closet than in a standoff, for example.

Dave on Halloween

Dave enjoys a good tale, and Halloween is a great time to tell tales. It might even be the best day in the calendar year for telling tales. Here are a few that Dave shared today.

There is no more food. #ScaryStoriesIn5Words
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) October 31, 2014

Someone ate all your food. #ScaryStoriesIn5Words
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) October 31, 2014

All of my food disappeared. #ScaryStoriesIn5Words
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) October 31, 2014

Napping is not allowed here. #ScaryStoriesIn5Words
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) October 31, 2014

Tuna fish have gone extinct. #ScaryStoriesIn5Words
— The Dafe (@DafeTheCat) October 31, 2014

Dave and Jack Encourage You to Enjoy National Cat Day

It is a festive day for them and their kind. Dave will be celebrating with a nap and some food.

Jack plans to take a nap and eat food as well. 

They might also look at a bird outside the window, or inexplicably scratch the area of the floor near their food. 

The Conch, Volume X: The Reappearance

Dave greatly enjoys employing the Conch strategy, but while Dave is a cat for all seasons, the Conch is not a napping strategy for all season. It can only be used rarely during the summer, due to it's tendency to conserve heat. Therefore, it is replaced with strategies that allow Dave to remain cool throughout the summer. 

(*Dave is always a "cool" cat personality-wise, but sometimes he is warm. At other times, he is also "cool" temperate-wise, and is thus cool in more than one manner.")

An Excellent Fall Napping Position

Here is a photograph of Dave enjoying one of his favorite fall activities, napping. Napping is one of Dave's favorite activities in all seasons, but it is especially delightful in the fall, when the weather is cool enough for Dave to lay in the middle of a pile of blankets and not overheat. 

But he still wishes he had a new couch. 

Dave's favorite season

Dave enjoys fall. It is his favorite season without a doubt, mostly because it is the season that is furthest away from the dreadful, dreadful summer. There are many things that Dave enjoys doing in the fall that can't be done in the summer. For example, Dave can sleep under blankets in the fall. Dave loves the cool air, the calm breezes, and the changing colours. 

Here he is engaging in one of his favorite fall activities, looking out the window from his perch atop the couch*.

(*Not a couch. A futon is not a couch.)

Dreaming of a New Couch

Dave has been longing for a new couch for some time now. He appreciates the contributions his couch has made in support of his napping pursuits, but he wants to go places that his couch can't take him. After all, his couch is actually not even a couch at all, but rather a futon. 

A futon is not a couch.

Nap Duels, Volume II

Here you can see another nap dual between Jack and Dave. Those with keen eyesight can see Dave trying something very ostrich-like with his head. Jack appears to be licking himself, so perhaps they are both warming up for a duel later in the day. 

Nap Duels

While Dave is the real professional when it comes to napping, Jack is no slouch either. He is one of the great amateurs of our time. He just doesn't want to put in the energy to compete globally on the level that Dave does. 

But Jack will have a friendly napping duel with Dave from time to time. This is good practice for Dave, much like the great tennis pros typically practice with other very good tennis players. It keeps Dave on his game. 

Wondering about that bird outside

Dave and Jack have both been quite intrigued recently with the bird that has taken up residence in front of their home. The bird keeps saying, "Poo-tee-weet?" to the cats. They aren't quite sure what the bird is trying to say, but sometimes Dave responds with a quick, "mrauuw." And sometimes Jack responds, in a much higher tone, with a longer "maaaaaeeehhh---," trailing off at the end.

CSI: Dave, Volume XVIII

Today, Dave had a partner in his investigations of the bird outside. Action Jackson decided to join Dave. He was also perplexed by the bird, which again said to the cats, "Poo-tee-weet?"

CSI: Dave, Volume XVII

Today, Dave spent a good deal of time peering out the window, probably at a bird saying "Poo-tee-weet?"

A Standoff in the Kitchen

Sometimes Dave and Jack have standoffs, and today, one took place in the kitchen. The kitchen has seen plenty of cat-action lately. Dave and Jack are usually pretty nice to each other though. It's just that sometimes they get a little antsy. Or sometimes there is some leftover tuna in the trashcan and they both want it. 

Dave in the Kitchen

Fresh off an extensive discussion of the Kitchen Debate of 1959 (part 1, 2 and 3), here is Dave resting in a modern American kitchen. It may be modern, but Dave doesn't spend much time here in the summer. Whenever the oven is turned on, it heats the kitchen up to unspeakable temperatures. 

This is one of many reasons that Dave is pleased that it is now the fall. 

Dave's favorite 20th century Russian historical figure, The Finale

Dave has been giving a great deal of thought to the story he has been hearing this week. He new that there had to be a deeper meaning than just a frustrating day on the road. He knew his friend would not have woken Dave up from a good nap just to rant. And Dave was right.

"Dave, this experience had me thinking about the history of our nation. I had a great deal of time to think during the long ride! In particular, I was thinking about the middle part of the 20th century, particularly the decades after World War II and Russo-American relations. 

I thought about the time that Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev had a series of conversations with U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon debating the merits of communism and capitalism. They met in 1959 at the American exhibition in Moscow. You doubtless know all of these details, Dave, as you are a true renaissance cat. You'll recall, as William Safire recalled in 2009, that the purpose of the exhibition was to show a typical American house to the Soviet Premier. 

The Soviet press had lampooned the notion that the model house represented a typical house for an American worker, calling it 'the Taj Mahal.' Khrushchev doubted the accuracy of many of Nixon's claims about modern appliances available in the typical American household. He mocked the model house, saying, 'Don't you have a machine that puts food into the mouth and pushes it down? Many things you've shown us are interesting but they are not needed in life. They have no useful purpose. They are merely gadgets.'

The point, Dave, is that the Soviets witnessed a typical American house, and dismissed it as having appliances that were often out of order, or unnecessary, or claimed that the Americans exaggerated their ubiquity. But, despite his outward skepticism, the experience may have seeded some doubt in Khrushchev's mind. What if the typical American house actually did have all of these things? 

Now, Dave, imagine if instead of meeting in an exhibition in Moscow, Khrushchev and Nixon has met in this nation, in this city, and they had made the drive I made today. How comical it would have been! Khrushchev would have laughed at our shoddy road planning. He would have lampooned capitalism placing a restaurant in the middle of an intersection. He would have been relieved that his competitors, who claimed to be so efficient and productive, spent hours to travel distances that should have taken mere minutes. Nixon's claim that capitalism provided greater quality of life than communism would have been in great question after an experience like that, would it not have, Dave?"

Dave's favorite 20th century Russian historical figure is Nikita Khrushdave.

But don't be mistaken. Mr. Khrushdave may be Dave's favorite 20th century Russian historical figure, but that doesn't mean anything about Dave's feelings about economic policy. In fact, Dave prefers Mr. Khrushdave's later American counterpart, President John Dafe Kennedy. 

Dave's favorite 20th century Russian historical figure, Continued

Dave could not wait to hear the rest of his friend's story from the other day. One of the pitfalls of being a cat is that you don't get to decide your own schedule. If the person who brings you your food is late, you will eat late. (Fortunately, this reality of cat-life does not apply to catnaps.) If the person gets up and leaves in the middle of a story, you have to wait to hear the rest, or you might not hear it at all. But gratefully, Dave did get to hear the rest of this story.

"I counted at least seven sources of traffic entering the intersection, and that does not include those exiting the parking lot of the restaurant inexplicably located on an island in the middle of the intersection. The existence of said restaurant perplexes this motorist. It certainly offers no benefit to the movement of people or vehicles in the area, nor any particular enjoyment for those frequenting the restaurant. Would you like eat in a restaurant in the middle of a road? Probably not! But the restaurant itself is not entirely to blame for the problem! It is rather a symptom of the same cause that also created the abominable intersection. Some fool approved this restaurant's location, as some fool (perhaps the same fool!) also approved the design of the entire intersection. In fact, were it not for the existence of this intersection, I would have simply walked to the store. But I know from experience that this intersection is, if possible, an even worse experience for pedestrians. 

Anyhow, upon approaching the intersection, a driver is given the option, though a somewhat theoretical and short-notice one, to enter the intersection from a variety of lanes. The choice of lane will determine the choices the driver will have moments (or minutes, or hours) later, when driving within the intersection. A mistake here can set a driver back potentially for days. Luckily, I made no mistake. 

I entered the intersection from the appropriate lane, positioned ideally to eventually exit the intersection towards the street along which the pet store is located. I traversed through three stoplights in the intersection (there were no less than 5 stoplights in total). But as I approached the place where I would exit the intersection, I noticed something ominous. Cars in front of me were slowing down unexpectedly. It turned out that the two-way road that would take me to the pet store had been temporarily converted to a one-way road. Yet there had been no signs to warn motorists of this fact! I had no choice but to abruptly turn to my right, because the only other option (turning left) was rejoining the intersection I I had finally freed myself from. Back into the gates of hell? Not I.

As I headed in a direction 90 degrees off-course from my desired route, I thought I would soon have the opportunity to correct the situation. I would simply turn left at the earliest convenience. Then I could turn left again and be very near my destination. This is something that non-ambiturners do all the time, and surely I could do it here. Or I could merely park my automobile somewhere nearby and walk the remaining distance! Both options proved challenging. No legal parking spots were available, though I don't complain about this, for it would have just made the traffic worse, exacerbating the situation. So I ventured forth off-course, searching for an opportunity to turn left. For over half a mile (almost as long as the entire trip should have been), I motored through intersections that were either one-way roads in the wrong direction, intersections that banned left turns, or freeway on-ramps. 

This frustrated me.

Eventually, I was able to turn left. A block later, I turned left again. And a half mile later, I found myself on the correct side of the intersection that had caused me so much delay. I finally reached the pet store. And there I purchased provisions for you that should last several months."

Dave, enraptured by the story, found himself pleased that the person had managed to finally arrive at the pet store. After all, Dave's very sustenance depended on it! But he wondered if there was more to the story. He thought there was. He communicated this thought with a look like this.

Dave is great at displaying inquisitive looks. 

But he would have to wait for another day to hear the meaning of this story.

Click here for part three. 

Dave's favorite 20th century Russian historical figure

Dave recently heard a story from someone who spends a lot of time in Dave's home, someone who is not a cat and has the ability to roam freely beyond the confines of the home. Dave was happy that this person had left the home, for two reasons.

1. While Dave enjoys the company of this person, and often naps on and makes biscuits on this person, Dave also likes to have some quiet time to himself. He did not have the luxury of quiet time back during his days on the mean streets of Iowa, so he savors his time to himself.
2. Dave had not had a milkshake lately, and he really wanted one on this day. It was his hope that this person would bring him a milkshake.

Anyhow, when the person returned, this story was related to Dave. This story reminded Dave of his favorite 20th century Russian historical figure, but only at the conclusion of the story.

"Dave, I hope I have not waken you. You appear to be in a very comfortable position, one that would make a great napping position. However, I have quite a story to tell you. Even if I did disturb your slumber, you will appreciate it after you hear this story. 

As you know, I ventured out yonder today, much like you used to do in your younger days. I drove my automobile, with the local pet store as my destination. I call it the local pet store because it sits less than a mile from our home, something you wouldn't know, but can appreciate. But the short distance alone did not mean I arrived at this destination easily. In fact, quite the opposite was true. 

This beginning of the journey was unremarkable. Few obstacles slowed me down until I could almost see the pet store, but then, circumstances changed. 

After the considerable progress I had made, I merely needed to cross a large intersection to finally arrive at the pet store. But this was no ordinary intersection. I have jaywalked across the widest street on this globe, and I've seen large intersections in my day, some of the largest in the world , as I don't doubt you have. Even so, remarkably, this intersection certainly was far worse, far more obstructive, more of a hindrance, than any intersection I have ever laid my eyes upon. You would agree with me if you saw it with your own eyes. After the first nine tenths of a mile took mere minutes to traverse, the final tenth represented a painful slog that lasted what seemed like days, although to be truthful it was closer to half an hour. Unacceptable nonetheless! We live in a modern city, do we not, Dave?! Was there a regrettable accident, or some maintenance project to keep the road in a usable condition? In either case I might have understood the delay. But was there such a legitimate reason? No! The day was a standard one, the traffic not extraordinary for the hour."

And here Dave's companion paused for a time. Dave's intrigue in the story only grew. This is the face Dave made when he realized he would have to wait to hear the rest of the story.

Click here for Part Duex. 

Dave ready for a trip

Dave really got his hopes up this morning. One of the people who live in Dave's home was apparently preparing for a trip. Dave didn't know where this person was going, but it didn't matter. He wanted to go. 

Unfortunately, Dave doesn't get to travel very much. He did get to go on a 1,000 mile road trip a few years ago. He got to see 7 different states in the United States of America, more than a lot of people get to see in their lives. But this has only increased Dave's thirst for travel. Hopefully he will get to go on another trip soon. 

Dave hoping for a trip

Dave makes no secret that he enjoys traveling the globe. It is his hope that one day he can travel more extensively, perhaps to Davos, Switzerland. One way he voices this desire of his is to sit on the luggage of the people who usually live in his home. He notices that they tend to take bags or suitcases with them when they leave, and he hopes they will one day take him on another trip. 

CSI: Dave, Volume XVI - Dave's Investigative Process

Dave is now ready to show you the denouement of his investigation. You have seen the introductory phase, and you have seen the initial proceedings of Dave's investigation after he senses a disturbance. Now it is time for the finale. 

You can see that Dave has now completely reversed his original direction! What agility! What a humble investigator to admit his mistake and adjust so well and so quickly! Dave will surely locate the disturbance now.

And finally, you can see Dave has laid his eyes upon the disturbance. It was merely a small stuffed animal. What a relief this was for Dave.

But Dave does not regret putting all of this effort into an investigation that yielded only a harmless toy. His belief is that many false alarms are preferable to one real disturbance going unnoticed.

CSI: Dave, Volume XV - Dave's Investigative Process

Dave is ready to share more of his investigative process with you, after demonstrating the introductory phase of his investigations earlier this week. Now you can see that Dave has descended from his perch on top of the box part of the cat-tree. Usually he descends after hearing, seeing, smelling, or otherwise sensing a disturbance closer to the ground. He is very quick, quicker in fact that many cats half his size. Therefore, you won't be able to see Dave's transition. No film known to man can capture the image quickly enough.

You can see that Dave is still facing the same direction as he was before, suggesting that the disturbance Dave sensed is in that direction.

But now you can see that Dave is doubting that conclusion. After seeing no disturbance in to the west, he is looking a different direction, to the south. Dave doesn't mind being wrong about the location of the disturbance. In fact, it is the mark of a good investigator to question one's assumptions. The important thing is that Dave finds the disturbance before it is too late to do something about it.

Part 3 of Dave's tutorial is now available.

CSI: Dave, Volume XIV - Dave's Investigative Process

Over the next several days, or weeks, Dave plans to put on a demonstration of his investigative process. If you have followed Dave's work, you already know that he is one of the greatest investigators of the past few centuries, equaled only by legends like Sherlock Holmes and Lieutenant Columbo. 

Dave started his current investigation in the position you see below. This is a great position for an investigation, because it offers Dave a great view of the room, but he is also close enough to the ground to quickly launch himself towards anything unusual. It is good to be flexible. 

Now Dave is beginning to peruse the various areas where he might find a clue. "A clue to what?" you might ask. But to Dave, that doesn't matter. He just wants to know about anything fishy going on around his home. At this phase, the investigation is more of a general investigation. If something fishy turns up, it will become more targeted.

You can see that Dave's first order of business is to check his blind spots. He wants to make sure he won't be attacked by something hiding out in the box. He already checked the higher levels of his cat-tree before assuming his position, so he knew nothing could attack him from above. And now has assured himself that nothing is in the box. Stay tuned for more on Dave's investigative process.

Part 2 and Part 3 of Dave's tutorial are now available.

Dancing Dave

Dave, ever the renaissance cat, has taken up a new hobby lately, dancing. He thinks it is not only an enjoyable activity, but also one that is healthful and fulfilling. Here you can see Dave performing a classic dance move once perfected by John Davolta. 

Stayin' Alive!