I have a question about an encounter between my oldest cat and my youngest dog. The cat, Niko, despises dogs (especially rambunctious young ones) and prefers to avoid them. Sophie (almost 2 year old Beagle mix) is fascinated by the cats and has been very hard to teach about not chasing them. In the past few months she has finally learned some self control and pretty much leaves them alone.
Now, when Sophie and Niko meet, what usually happens is that Niko hisses and growls quite impressively, and Sophie wisely backs off. This doesn't happen often, as the cats have their own room and Niko likes to spend most of her time there.
Today it was a bit different. Niko came out of her room to sit under the table for a while. Sophie, as usual, came over to investigate, but she didn't get too close - she stayed several feet away and did a play bow. She stayed in play bow position, whining and wagging her tail, for quite some time. I finally called her away and she sat leaning against my leg as though she were scared (this is what she does when something worries her). Niko just sat quietly in her chosen spot the whole time.
Any ideas as to what was going on there? I'm curious as I've never seen this behavior before.