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Conference misery::feline

Title:Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:purrrrr...
Moderator:JULIET::CORDES_JA
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1079
Total number of notes:28858

485.0. "PET Dogs for Cats ???" by CHOVAX::MUEHLMANN (The better I know people...the more I love my cat!!!) Tue Jan 19 1993 21:24

    Hi,
    
    I'm just curious lately whether anyone else out there has a feline
    family member - my beloved is a gorgeous gray Turkish Angora lookalike
    name Shadow - who absolutely adores dogs !!
    
    I've always been an animal lover (actually a would-be veterinarian who
    gave up that idea for marriage. Ah, if only we could see then what we
    know now...) but cats seem to endear themselves to me like no other
    species I've had the pleasure to be owned by. Often times I think back
    and can recall the special and unique personalities of the cats - over
    a dozen all told - who've seen fit to share their lives with me, and
    each of them makes me smile.
    
    I've found it especially satisfying to take the time to discover the
    wonderful potential of the many adult cats (and several dogs, too) I've
    adopted from the local animal shelters. Sometimes it literally takes
    years for their true "catsonalities" to surface, but watching the
    transformation that love and security can perform in them is always
    amazing. And when they finally put their unhappy pasts and insecurities
    behind them, and give you their unconditional love, there's no feeling
    on earth like it.
    
    Anyway, to get back to the "dog and cat" part of this... when I adopted
    Shadow a little over 2 years ago, he was a young adult male stray who
    was very independent and overly sensitive to being touched. I had him
    neutered, which didn't change his catsonality much, but over time he
    became less standoffish and his touch threshold grew longer.
    (Especially where neck scratching and head rubs are concerned!) I
    already had a wonderful adopted female German Shepherd Dog(Gretchen)
    and an adopted female Abysinian lookalike (Aby). 
    
    From day 1 of Shadow's entrance to our home, Aby became the agressor,
    constantly hissing, chasing and attacking Shadow. Shadow on the other
    hand was considerably more restrained than I would have expected and
    continued to try and make friends with Aby. He never had any problem
    with the dog, Gretchen, but didn't seem especially close to her either
    except to play once in a while. To solve the Aby/Shadow dilemma, Aby
    went to live with my folks and Shadow stayed with Gretchen and I and
    everything was hunkey-dorey.
    
    About 9 months later however, Gretchen became suddenly and violently
    ill and despite all efforts could not be saved. Her last night with us
    I brought her home from the University of Penna Veterinary Hospital and
    set up a makeshift sick ward in the kitchen. Shadow stayed with us
    there all through the night, seeming to sense how ill his companion
    was. The next morning, I had to have Gretchen euthanized. (I still fill
    up with tears thinking about her after a year and a half.) I decided
    that because of the extended hours and fairly frequent travel we
    Deccies endure, I would be better off not getting another dog, and was
    considering the pros and cons of trying another cat companion for
    Shadow.
    
    To finally get to the point of all this, Shadow grieved for Gretchen
    like I've never seen another animal grieve in my life. He would sit in
    the kitchen for hours and wail mournfully, wouldn't eat, and would look
    in all Gretchen's normal hangouts, meowing curiously. His behavior made
    me decide to try bringing in another dog, and I went through my normal
    route of scouting the animal shelters. During the next 4 months, to say
    Shadow endured living hell would be an understatement. He lived most of
    his life on top of the refrigerator, being chased and attacked
    unrelentlessly whenever he would try to venture down. I went through 2
    marvelous shelter dogs who just happened to apparently hate cats, but
    Shadow remained determined to try and make friends.
    
    Finally I had the good fortune to find an adult Gordon Setter female
    (Misty) who a breeder was looking to place in a good home. She had been 
    used to lots of commotion in the house, kids, puppies, cats... and she
    settled in well with us. Shadow has formed such an attachment to her
    that at times rather than coming to me for attention, he'll go to
    Misty, roll on his back and pat her nose, or butt her face
    affectionately. Recently when I had to make an extended business trip,
    both my beloveds stayed at my parents house, and Mom got some great
    pictures of Shadow sleeping on Misty's face or paws, or curled up on
    his back asleep with one paw on Misty.
    
    Has anyone else had the opportunity to witness this odd kind of
    bonding? I'm in the midst of a difficult decision right now because
    I feel that with the hours my work keeps my away from home and the
    limited time I have to devote to Misty's care, grooming and exercise,
    it would be fairer to her to try and find her another home where she
    could get more attention. I'm really concerned though about how Shadow
    will take this. He's turned into such a lovable and affectionate friend
    for both Misty and I, and I'm afraid he'll be devastated if she has to
    leave. I've thought about bringing in another cat, but Shadow's gotten
    very territorial with his own kind, and doesn't seem at all willing to
    share his home or mistress with another feline.
    
    If you've ever been through anything like this, I'd really like to hear
    from you. I love both of my critters and want to do what's right for
    each of them, I just don't have any good ideas about what that may be!!
    
    Thanks for letting me bend your ears, and if you've managed to get this
    far in this note I hope you'll give me your experiences and suggestions!
    
    Terry M. from South Jersey
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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485.1OXNARD::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Tue Jan 19 1993 22:183
    Lord, I wouldn't separate them for anything.  I'm sure they are fine
    company for each other when you are away.
    
485.2MAYES::MERRITTKitty CityWed Jan 20 1993 08:2816
    Truly enjoyed reading your story.   My mother-in-law had both
    a cat and dog who were best buddies.   The dog who was part sheepdog
    (very big) use to come in from the rain and the kitty would sit there
    for hours lapping him dry!!  They were always cuddled together...and
    it was a beautiful sight!!!
    
    Even though you are working and feel you can't give Misty that much
    attention....I think your kitty is keeping him company and it would
    be a shame to break up the duo!!  
    
    Keep sharing those stories.....we love to read them.
    
    Sandy ( who currently has 9 cats (or is that 10)...but would love a 
            dog someday too!)
                                      
    
485.3SPEZKO::RAWDENGo ahead, make my dinner!Wed Jan 20 1993 08:472
    Could you ask a friend to stop in for a visit now and then to keep them
    company?  I'm sure that would help break up a long day.
485.4DELNI::MANDILEToepick!Wed Jan 20 1993 11:152
    Sounds like you have a happy, well adjusted pair!  I wouldn't
    worry about it, as they seem to have all well in hand! (8
485.5Thanks !!!CHOVAX::MUEHLMANNThe better I know people...the more I love my cat!!!Wed Jan 20 1993 19:5712
    
    Thanks for the encouragement, I know in my heart I can't bear to
    split them up and it helps to have others feel its justified too!
    
    RE: .3
    
    Thanks also for the idea about having someone stop in to visit Shadow
    and Misty occasionally. I do that for Shadow when I have to travel and
    take Misty with me but I hadn't really thought about it for both of
    them on the really loooonnnggg days.
    
    Terry
485.6They make great friends...DELNI::JMCDONOUGHTue Jan 26 1993 09:1029
       My 12 dogs and 3 cats get along great with each other, but there are
    a couple of more closely 'bonded' pairs among them.
    
       My smallest cat (a little cutie who's all white except for a 1.5inch
    spot of black on each ear, a black strip down the back of each rear
    leg, and a black tail) is "best friends" with my largest dog, an 80+ 
    pound mix that looks a lot like a Rottweiler. Cookie(the cat) will sit
    for an hour or more washing Teddy's face...he LOVES it... The other
    "pair" is my Mini-Dachshund, "Rudi", and my 3-legged male cat,
    "Smokey". The dog is actually a bit smaller than the cat... These two
    are a PANIC to watch...they chase each other around the house, roll
    around together on the floor, and when they get really tuckered out,
    they flop somewhere literally ON TOP of each other and pass out from
    exhaustion. 
    
      It's not unusual to see 5 or 6 dogs and a cat or two zonked-out in a
    heap of fur 'n legs sleeping contentedly... We've never once had any
    sort of confrontation between the species... (now and then the
    Beagle-boys play a bit too rough with each other and end up with a
    little 'ding', but never with the cats..
    
      This thing about "natural enemies" may be true in the wild, where
    competition for survival is a factor, but when animals are raised
    together, it isn't really true. I had an Aunt who had a huge Siamese
    who's 'buddy' was a parakeet!! That cat 'n bird were a real pair!! The
    parakeet almost died of lonliness when the cat passed away at 19 years
    of age..(Parakeets can live up to 35-40 years so I'm told...)
    
      John McD 
485.7How to keep kitty from being stressed out by new additionSTRATA::STOOKERWed Aug 04 1993 10:1414
    I have a question about getting a cat acclimated to the arrival of a
    new dog.    My husband and I are seriously considering getting a dog
    for our daughter who is constantly asking for a puppy.   My concern is
    how our 9 year old Manx will adapt.   I sure do not want a stressed out
    kitty that all of a sudden decides that she isn't going to use her
    litter box.   Any ideas and inputs on what I should do once we get a
    puppy to make her feel secure and loved.  I had dogs when I was growing
    up but haven't had one in quite a few years.   Is there a way to lessen
    the stress of bringing in a new pup?    If this topic is addressed
    elsewhere a pointer would be appreciated...
    
    Thanks,
    Sarah
    
485.8New Addition: So far, so good...STRATA::STOOKERThu Aug 19 1993 13:2827
    Well, I just wanted to say that we did get our puppy.   So far, Shadow
    is not too terribly upset.   Several things that I have done is:  
     - Before we brought the puppy into the house, I went and picked up
    Shadow and held her and petted her when the puppy was being brought in.
     - Although I pay attention to the puppy, I make special attempts to
    still pay Shadow a lot of attention and let her know that she is still
    loved. (My husband and daughter do so as well.)
    
    The first night (we've only had the puppy two nights), Shadow didn't
    pay too much attention to the puppy at all.  Since the pupply is crated
    at night and during the day (when we are at work) and Shadow is
    free-roaming, I think that this probably will give Shadow a chance to
    check out the puppy without being too threatened.   Of course, we've
    had to change things around and change the area where Shadow eats her
    food, since we do not want the puppy to get into it.   When the puppy
    isn't in the crate, if she comes into direct confrontation with Shadow,
    Shadow will growl and hiss and the puppy will turn away, but Shadow has
    not made any motions of slapping or attacking the puppy.   
    
    So, So far so good.  Shadows appetite hasn't been dented. She doesn't
    appear to be too stressed out or upset unless the puppy comes into her
    path.  Mostly Shadow just stays up on the couch, table or something to
    stay off the floor and out of the puppies way.    
    
    By the way, our new addition is a 13 week old Sheltie who's name is
    Julie. She is adorable and so far house breaking is going with out any
    major problems.
485.9WAGON::MOSSONWed Aug 25 1993 14:3728
    Hi..                
    
    We introduced a puppy into our household of 4 cats.  The cats took to
    him like he was just another cat... they would hiss at him and let him
    know who is boss... he was actually "adopted" by one of the cats.. The
    cats name was Moe.. Moe would play with Bud and snuggle up with Bud... they
    were inseperable... Bud is now 6 (65 lb. golden retriever/lab mix), Moe 
    unfortunately passed away a few years ago, but we got Bud a kitten 
    3 years ago, and he adopted the kitten the same way he was once adopted 
    by a cat...   He mothered the kitten (Maddie).. cleaning her, carrying
    her around (she was just 5 weeks when we found her), snuggling up with her,
    and protecting her from our other 3 cats, who were pretty disinterested
    in her arrival.  (-;
    
    The two of them go to the vet together.. Maddie stands under Bud (her
    protector) while we are in the vets office.. the dog is somewhat
    oblivious to his duties as "protector"... (-;
    
    oh, and don't be surprised if your dog starts picking up some cat 
    like characteristics...  (-;
    
    
    Kathleen