About Cats and Dogs

It has been interesting observing the interaction between our cat, Spooky, and our new puppy, Lady. When Lady arrived a month ago, she was about a third the size of Spooky. As you can see by this photograph, she has grown!

Initially Spooky was fascinated by the puppy, and was very gentle. After a few days Lady entered the puppy biting stage, and Spooky disappeared. Not literally, figuratively. He stopped trying to interact with the puppy and slept all the time. I thought he was annoyed at the puppy and depressed. The vet warned us a cat will often get depressed when a new pet is introduced to the family.

But, after a few days, I noticed he wasn’t eating. After a trip to the vet, we learned it was not depression, but a kidney infection. Now, over a week later, Spooky is doing well, and back to his old self. Of course, now the puppy is bigger than him!

The two are still getting to know each other, and love to play. I am always afraid one will hurt the other, and for now Spooky has the upper hand. Frankly, I’d like him to establish that authority, as Lady will be twice his size before long. Plus, Spooky has no front claws.

It has been fun watching the two get to know each other, discover their boundaries and establish guidelines.