I don’t know why dogs and cats can’t get along. Our older pup, Julie, was raised with two cats that she got along with very well. They used to play together all the time. One of the cats used to put his whole head in Julie’s mouth and appear to count her teeth with no fear. After seeing how she had gotten along with those two cats, it is hard to admit that dogs and cats don’t always get along.
Granted those two cats that Julie had friended were kittens when she was only 6 months old may have something to do with it.
Our new puppy is having a difficult time being accepted by the cats who’ve been residing in our home for many years before we thought about adding a puppy to the household.
Gracie:
She is the meanest cat out of the two of them. Notice how she is laying on top of the scratch pad. She has no claws and apparently no one knows this except for the humans. The reason she lays on top of the scratch pad is to hide the fact that she can’t use it to sharpen her claws. She even has poor Sam convinced that she has claws and has only chosen not to use them.
Sam:
He is the original resident cat. A few months ago, he was much larger. We aren’t sure, but we think he developed an allergy to his canned cat food and treats, because he kept getting sick from them. His illness started about the time the puppy arrived. Is it coincidental? We’re not sure. Since then he has been living only on a diet of dry food. He can’t keep the wet food down. Maybe his body was trying to tell him and Mom something.
He’s lost a lot of weight since then. I think he’s looking good.
Sam has a strong opinion about the puppy. He doesn’t like her. He thinks that one dog in the home is more than enough, and hisses at the puppy all the time.
Today the two cats cornered the puppy behind the coffee table. One cat in front the other behind. Sam held his ground while Gracie pummeled her clawless paws on the puppy’s rump.
Poor Keelaa, she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t go forward and she couldn’t go backwards. All she could do was lay down and cower until the cat felt she had enough.
I think I will start calling them the Bash Kitties.
Linda Nelson 