Last night Sharron and I got a cat. One of her friends is moving and they aren’t taking the cat with them, so she offered to keep it until we can find it a new home. His name is Fussa and he’s a Japanese Bobtail. So far he’s been very nice to us and very wary of Parker. Parker is very friendly himself and REALLY wants to be friends with Fussa. Of course, Fussa is a bit nervous of Parker’s enthusiasm. Parker loves to chase people, dogs, cats, birds, etc., and I think he wants to chase Fussa. I have a feeling that Fussa will not like this very much. Sharron and I had discussed keeping Fussa as a friend for Parker, but after reading all of the literature on introducing dogs and cats, it seems like a LOT of work. Since we’re not really cat people anyway, I think we’re going to continue looking for a new owner for Fussa.
Sharron said that Fussa meow’d all night long and kept waking her up. I slept like the dead apparently and didn’t hear a thing. We’ve got the cat in the office for now as it’s the only room we were willing and able to donate. Parker has pretty much parked himself outside of the office door and has been demanding to be let in. We’ve been trying to distract him, but he wants in BAD! After I got up this morning, I had to put him in his crate downstairs as he was demanding to be let out of the bedroom. Sharron told me that even after I put him in the crate he still screamed to be let out. Poor guy. He doesn’t understand why the cat should make his life change so much.
So, I guess we’ll see if we find the cat a new home or if we end up killing it first. (kidding!)
If you think that’s bad, try introducing 2 cats who have no desire to be in the same house to each other. It took over a year before the two could even be in the same room.
I feel bad for Parker. I had a dog like that– every cat was her friend! The cats eventually came around, but until the dog was out of her puppy phase it was tough to put up with all the work.
I know people may think I’m mean, but when it comes to cats and dogs meeting, I’m a big fan of the “they’ll sort it out” approach.
A dog will only get its nose scratched so many times before he stops trying to sniff the cat.
Cats climb, dogs do not. So, the house can natually be divided into regions: anything below 2-3 feet in altitude belongs to the dog. Anything above that belongs to the cat.
When our friends bring their dogs over to visit, I let them sort it out. The cats have their hiding places, and I dissuade the dogs from invading that space, but for the most part they’re all on their own; they’re smart enough. :)
(This is not to say this approach doesn’t totally traumatize the hell out of all the animals involved, but really, after a few weeks, the cats forgive me. I think.)
Urn, that is basically what we’ve done. After the first 24 hour period, we let the cat roam around the house and then on day 3, we let them roam around together. I feel the same way. All animals will work it out eventually. Plus, Fussa has been declawed in front. You should have heard it when Fussa slapped Parker! It was so funny! It was a total bitch slap complete with sound effects!!!!! Wham! Wham! Two times! Parker was all like…Hey, that wasn’t nice, but can I still sniff and chase you? They’re fine. Parker just wants to be with the cat all the time now. Fussa can totally get away from him, so it is OK.
but, like Patrick said, I’m just NOT a cat person! I just don’t want a cat.