Standard sort of pet-introduction regime. Often, they have to be fed (caged) side by side, or disturb the space for both of them. Good that they're getting on. Bet the cat is the boss!
Now if only I could figure out how to make two spectacularly scared critters (cats) a bit more sociable...one of them is getting quite good now. Likes a cuddle. The other I picked up for the first and only time about a month ago...only had her three years. But at least she lets me touch her now.
You could park your success story on Cat Whispering.
Yes, the cat seems to have the upper hand. The dog gets jealous of the cat when I pick her up. I've caught each animal sniffing near the other's rear when the other was asleep. Amazing. We humans need background checks, blood tests, resumes, and the like all because we don't entirely trust each other. All animals need to do is sniff and they have all the info they need. Very efficient.
Yes, the cat seems to have the upper hand. The dog gets jealous of the cat when I pick her up. I've caught each animal sniffing near the other's rear when the other was asleep. Amazing. We humans need background checks, blood tests, resumes, and the like all because we don't entirely trust each other. All animals need to do is sniff and they have all the info they need. Very efficient.
We have a three year old cocker spaniel, Buckeye, that we've had since she was eight weeks ago. A little over a year ago, we got a 9 year old retired mama dog, no relation, but from the same breeder.
We introduced them in the front yard on leashes. Bucks was curious and very alert but not overtly hostile. Nellie slept in a crate for the first six months she was here. She got sick, got well, and got a whole lot more interested. Because she had spent less time being snuggled up with humans than Buckeye, she was not interested in getting up on the sofa or the bed for a little bit, until it got very cold in the house. Then, necessity required her to get under the snuggi with one of us.
Now, she still likes to have her quiet time - probably rambunctious little Buckeye reminds her of all those years with puppies. But she is an absolute sweetheart and has made herself part of the pack.
i'm very very very upset that we'll have to put buddy down soon
me boy is an only and he's like a sibling to him
any advice? i know death is a part of life but it really sucks
I wish I knew something I could say that would make it easier. All I know is that there comes a point when letting them go is the most loving thing to do for them. Hugs to you and your sweet boy.
Excathedra: This can be a good lead in to teaching him about the reality of death. I can't think of anything in life that ages people as fast as the death of a loved one. My whole generation got exposed to death when Kennedy got killed. Perhaps your husband would be the one to have a talk with him about it.
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Twinky
Standard sort of pet-introduction regime. Often, they have to be fed (caged) side by side, or disturb the space for both of them. Good that they're getting on. Bet the cat is the boss!
Now if only I could figure out how to make two spectacularly scared critters (cats) a bit more sociable...one of them is getting quite good now. Likes a cuddle. The other I picked up for the first and only time about a month ago...only had her three years. But at least she lets me touch her now.
You could park your success story on Cat Whispering.
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johniam
Yes, the cat seems to have the upper hand. The dog gets jealous of the cat when I pick her up. I've caught each animal sniffing near the other's rear when the other was asleep. Amazing. We humans need background checks, blood tests, resumes, and the like all because we don't entirely trust each other. All animals need to do is sniff and they have all the info they need. Very efficient.
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johniam
Yes, the cat seems to have the upper hand. The dog gets jealous of the cat when I pick her up. I've caught each animal sniffing near the other's rear when the other was asleep. Amazing. We humans need background checks, blood tests, resumes, and the like all because we don't entirely trust each other. All animals need to do is sniff and they have all the info they need. Very efficient.
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excathedra
that's nice, glad it worked out
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Watered Garden
We have a three year old cocker spaniel, Buckeye, that we've had since she was eight weeks ago. A little over a year ago, we got a 9 year old retired mama dog, no relation, but from the same breeder.
We introduced them in the front yard on leashes. Bucks was curious and very alert but not overtly hostile. Nellie slept in a crate for the first six months she was here. She got sick, got well, and got a whole lot more interested. Because she had spent less time being snuggled up with humans than Buckeye, she was not interested in getting up on the sofa or the bed for a little bit, until it got very cold in the house. Then, necessity required her to get under the snuggi with one of us.
Now, she still likes to have her quiet time - probably rambunctious little Buckeye reminds her of all those years with puppies. But she is an absolute sweetheart and has made herself part of the pack.
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johniam
Hmm. Perhaps an old dog can teach itself new tricks.
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excathedra
i'm very very very upset that we'll have to put buddy down soon
me boy is an only and he's like a sibling to him
any advice? i know death is a part of life but it really sucks
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Linda Z
I wish I knew something I could say that would make it easier. All I know is that there comes a point when letting them go is the most loving thing to do for them. Hugs to you and your sweet boy.
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bowtwi
It may sound cliche, but I do believe that getting another dog helps. It doesn't take the pain away, but it helps a little bit.
We lost 3 dogs within 2 years. We had no dog for a few months and it wasn't until I got another dog that my house felt
like a home to me. It took me several months to stop compaing this one to the others, but she definitely eases the
pain.
John - I'm glad to hear of your success story, very cool!
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johniam
Excathedra: This can be a good lead in to teaching him about the reality of death. I can't think of anything in life that ages people as fast as the death of a loved one. My whole generation got exposed to death when Kennedy got killed. Perhaps your husband would be the one to have a talk with him about it.
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excathedra
thanks for all your kind advice
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