During our first week after the return of the big (relatively speaking) cat to the fold, we’ve had many memorable moments but none so surprising as the fact that he is now our house cat. The three kittens are perfectly happy playing together, rolling around like they don’t have a care in the world. And I guess in the bigger picture of things they don’t have a care in the world and are extraordinarily lucky to have a bowl of food at their disposal, proper veterinary care, and a shelter that keeps them safe and comfortable. They even managed to uproot a nest of hours old mice. But Booger, the big cat, seemed to have a little more difficulty making the cut to official mouser of the big barn, the same place where all those scary chickens hang out all day. He’s been very vocal in his displeasure, but we were at a loss as to what he wanted until today. And now we know. Booger was a house cat before coming to us. After my husband brought him into the house today Booger got up into my arms and hasn’t gotten down until I put him in the chair so I could write. We brought in the cat box and he immediately went in and used it like he’d been waiting for weeks not to have to degrade himself by doing his business in the yard. I really didn’t think the three inside dogs would ever be comfortable with a feline companion, but so far things are working well. Jack needed a couple of squirts with the water bottle but considering the first thing Booger did was climb over Jack and jump up into bed with me for a nap I thought Puppy took it quite well. Budward’s bottom jaw goes 90 miles per hour like he’s trying to tell me of his extreme displeasure at having another animal in the house, and a cat no less. Dogs are one thing, but a cat? Girlie Sue hasn’t looked in his direction yet. Apparently in her world what she doesn’t see doesn’t exist. Right now he’s lying on the arm of my chair, pulsing my hand with his paws as I attempt to type. He missed out on getting a good name. They were going to be Thomasin and Senor Doncato but after he ran away the kittens got those names plus an extra for Black Bart because we had to adopt two more to keep Thomasin company. But I guess it worked out for the best since the kittens spend their days in the joy filled play of childhood. Booger is older and more mature, and he thinks he should be the only pet of the house. We did everything wrong in introducing the animals so I looked it up so I could tell all of you how to do it correctly if you should ever have the same occasion arise. According NARFrescue.org,:
- Keep your dog confined until the cat feels secure in his new home.
- Introduce them indoors with the dog under control on a leash.
- Do not allow the dog to chase or corner the cat, even out of playfulness or curiosity.
- Supervise them carefully and don’t tolerate any aggressive behavior from your dog.
- The cat should have a safe retreat, either up high or in a room inaccessible to the dog. An adult cat may swat a dog to set limits.
- Allow your animals to accept one another in their own time and don’t leave them alone together until this is accomplished.
- Never push them toward each other or force interaction. Many cats and dogs become companions and playmates while others simply tolerate each other.
- Be sure to give your dog lots of extra attention to avoid jealous reactions.
Well, I guess I’ve devoted enough time to finding out how I should be doing things and I need to get around to actually doing them. I think there are three bubs that need a lot of lovin’ so they know this new upstart isn’t going to take anything away from them but will in fact enhance our lives. It seems like the more love we have the more we have to give away, and our lives are enriched by the unconditional love of the animals that surround us and share our existence. And if you’d like to experience the joy we have in our lives make a visit to the Randolph County Humane Society where there’s plenty to go around. And never forget, it is only through you that they continue to save lives, one by one.
