Houston? We have Nose Touching!

So after three days of hissing, spitting, and general yowling, the two cats have seemed to come to terms with sharing the apartment. My joy and relief know no bounds.

We had our first nose touch on Saturday morning. I took Dinger into my office and closed the door. The door has a window in it, so Newton came to the door and peered inside. The two cats hissed and yowled, but I kept petting Dinger to calm him down. Then I open the door slightly and released Dinger to see what would happen. Newton slowly poked his head inside, Dinger moved cautiously forward, and their noses touched! Progress!

After that, both cats seemed to be able to move around more easily. Dinger came out from underneath the couch and Newton kept coming up to him, pausing, and then walking away as if to say "See? I came right up to you and I didn't attack you. Chill."

Yesterday, a friend came by with her kids to visit. I didn't see this myself (I was away), but apparently the 2 year old lumbered up to Dinger to pet him, but Newton placed himself between Dinger and the boy and swatted the child away. Amazing!

So things seem mostly resolved. I say mostly because Newton seems determined to catch Dinger unaware. It reminds me of the Pink Panther movies when Clouseau (Dinger) is walking around his home and Kato (Newton) attacks him out of nowhere.

Dinger will be sitting with his back to Newton, Newton will galump towards Dinger as if to pounce, then Dinger turns around. Newtons skids to a halt and then tries to look surprised and innocent as he walks away. I've even caught Newton trying to sniff Dinger's butt and climb up on his back. This is really confusing because both cats are neutered and both cats are male.

*gasp* Does this mean Newton is gay?