It’s been about 8 years since our beloved Patches, an Australian Sheppard, died. And longer than that since our sweet Pepper, a loveable mutt, who lived with us 18 years, went off to doggie heaven. A family of animal lovers, we’ve been dog-less since Patches left us….until yesterday.
We decided it was finally time to bring another canine into this family. Born October 5, 2008, an Australian Sheppard (a runt of the litter) who we’ve named Lady is our new puppy. Don initially suggested the name, before we met her, and I wasn’t thrilled. Our daughter advised us to wait until the puppy arrived before choosing a name. We took her suggestion, and it didn’t take me long to realize she is a little Lady.
We were all curious as to how our cat, Spooky, would take to this new family member. Spooky, a male cat, who has been neutered and has his front paws de-clawed, is an indoor feline. He is extraordinarily good natured, sociable and affectionate. Spooky doesn’t like other cats and gets all hissy and makes bizarre aggressive sounds when one gets close to the window. But with dogs, he is fascinated, and wants to get closer.
Spooking is a black cat, weighing in over twenty pounds. I doubt Lady is yet five pounds.
Well, last night was rough for little Lady, it was the first night away from her mama and siblings. I had her in a comfy box in the den, as I didn’t want Spooky jumping in with her during the night. So every couple hours we were woken by a sobbing pup, missing her mama. Naturally we went to comfort the baby, Don and I taking turns.
Since cats are nocturnal, Spooky joined me in the den when I went to tend Lady. Oddly, I think he was comforting to the pup. Lady would raise her head, howling like the coyotes we have nearby, singing her heart out. And then she would notice Spooky, and stop howling. She looked at him curiously, as if wondering exactly who and what he is to her. Spooky began walking around the room, the pup in tow, following close by. I watched as Spooky led the puppy in circles. Every once in a while Lady would spy Spooky’s enticing tail, swishing back and forth, and make a failed attempt to catch it with her sharp little teeth.
At one point Spooky wanted out of the room, and I assumed he was no longer interested in keeping the youngster entertained. But, once on the other side of the door, Spooky began a new game with Lady. He teased her with a black paw reaching beneath the door. She would chase the paw, and then magically it would retreat and appear a few inches away. This game wore her out, and I wondered how Spooky could endure the times her teeth snagged his paw. But, it obviously didn’t bother him, as he kept playing the game.
I’m pretty tired today, since I got little sleep last night. But, that’s how it is with a baby in the house.
We decided it was finally time to bring another canine into this family. Born October 5, 2008, an Australian Sheppard (a runt of the litter) who we’ve named Lady is our new puppy. Don initially suggested the name, before we met her, and I wasn’t thrilled. Our daughter advised us to wait until the puppy arrived before choosing a name. We took her suggestion, and it didn’t take me long to realize she is a little Lady.
We were all curious as to how our cat, Spooky, would take to this new family member. Spooky, a male cat, who has been neutered and has his front paws de-clawed, is an indoor feline. He is extraordinarily good natured, sociable and affectionate. Spooky doesn’t like other cats and gets all hissy and makes bizarre aggressive sounds when one gets close to the window. But with dogs, he is fascinated, and wants to get closer.
Spooking is a black cat, weighing in over twenty pounds. I doubt Lady is yet five pounds.
Well, last night was rough for little Lady, it was the first night away from her mama and siblings. I had her in a comfy box in the den, as I didn’t want Spooky jumping in with her during the night. So every couple hours we were woken by a sobbing pup, missing her mama. Naturally we went to comfort the baby, Don and I taking turns.
Since cats are nocturnal, Spooky joined me in the den when I went to tend Lady. Oddly, I think he was comforting to the pup. Lady would raise her head, howling like the coyotes we have nearby, singing her heart out. And then she would notice Spooky, and stop howling. She looked at him curiously, as if wondering exactly who and what he is to her. Spooky began walking around the room, the pup in tow, following close by. I watched as Spooky led the puppy in circles. Every once in a while Lady would spy Spooky’s enticing tail, swishing back and forth, and make a failed attempt to catch it with her sharp little teeth.
At one point Spooky wanted out of the room, and I assumed he was no longer interested in keeping the youngster entertained. But, once on the other side of the door, Spooky began a new game with Lady. He teased her with a black paw reaching beneath the door. She would chase the paw, and then magically it would retreat and appear a few inches away. This game wore her out, and I wondered how Spooky could endure the times her teeth snagged his paw. But, it obviously didn’t bother him, as he kept playing the game.
I’m pretty tired today, since I got little sleep last night. But, that’s how it is with a baby in the house.
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