August 16, 2004

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  Our newest family members:

  
  

  Angel

  
  

  

  
  

  in the garage window, wearing her brand-new collar and ID tag.

  
  

  Ziggy

  
  

  

  
  

  the prodigal kitty has returned! she doesn't look too happy about it.

  
  

     

  
  

  mostly she spends her time watching everything from some semi-hidden vantage point -- too curious to hide completely!

  
  

   

  
  

  And both of them,

  
  

  doing what they do the most --

  
  

   

  
  

  Glaring at the dogs!

  
  

  

  
  

  Oh well, sooner or later everyone will learn to get along. At least the dogs don't chase them, or bark at them, or really pay much attention to them at all. And when the cats give the dogs a warning hiss or swat, the dogs back right up. Pearl even lay down on the floor in front of Ziggy today, to prove to her that she meant her no harm (my dogs are really diplomatic -- well versed in pack behavior)

  
  

  The cats don't run or even flinch the slightest bit any more when the dogs come running out the the garage barking and falling over each other. They are developing a similar attitude in that respect to the one that Tommy has toward the dogs: "They are funny looking and smell weird; mostly harmless, fun to watch, but noisy, goofy, and not much good for anything else" Even though he was here for more than 10 years when the first dog (Dolly) arrived at the house, Tommy has gotten used to the dogs being around and rarely shows any agression toward them, just the ocassional swat at Pearl, more out of playfulness than anything else. Angel and Ziggy aren't ready to let the dogs come anywhere close to them, and don't like to take their eyes off them yet, so I think they are still not sure if the dogs are a threat or not.

  
  

  

  
  

  by staying in the garage,

  
  

  they are missing out on an awful lot of spoiling!

  
  

  

  
  

  Angel shows more concern when she sees Tommy than when she sees the dogs. Ziggy, as far as I know, still hasn't seen Tommy, because she hasn't come out of the garage, and he has been staying away from the garage since Angel gave him such a loud warning last time he ventured out there.

  
  

  Last night, Angel tried to come into the house, throught the breezeway door (we are leaving it open so they can come in when they are good and ready) but Tommy was in the doorway. She growled and yowled and hissed, and we were sure the fur was going to fly. The dogs were right there, right away (maybe to back Tommy up against the intruders) but she seemed oblivious to the dogs, just wanted to let Tommy know she wanted no parts of him. But he didn't care either way. He just wanted to say "hi". He didn't put his ears back or his hair up on his back, or make any noises back at her. He just turned and walked away. I hope they decide to be friendly to him. He is an old guy, and it would be nice if he had some friends of his own species. He obviously wants to be friends with them. Which really surprised us, we expected him to at least be a little bit territorial.

  
  

  

  
  

  Tommy, not the least bit worried.

  
  

  All I can say, is at this time, I am glad all three have been declawed in front (years ago, when they were just kittens). No matter what your views on declawing are, it sure does make times like this a lot less stressful when you know that none of the animals have an unfair advantage over the others, and they are less likely to do any serious damage if a fight does break out in the getting-aquainted stages.

  
  

  Eventually they will all become a family, I am sure.

  
  

  

  
  

  But I think Daddy might run out of lap space...

  
  

  

  
  

   

  • 8:27 pm
  • 13 Comments