Show us your pets!

[Aggie_Ama]

A couple of my crew. Tortilla seriously likes my glass. And the other is the dogs favorite way to nap, with the laptop as a pillow.

[roadie gal]

Tortilla and the dogs are too cute!

[Possegal]

She isn't mine yet, but the plan is she will come home with me next weekend and see how my cats deal with her. She's a senior, a bull mastiff, and at a vet my friend uses. The owner couldn't keep her anymore and wanted them to put her down. The vet said she is about the most loving dog any of them had ever met and they just couldn't. So the owner signed her over to them and they are keeping her, dealing with a skin infection she has, and looking for a home for her. I thought this was a good way to maybe bring a dog into my family, as she is so easy going she doesn't even care that a cat is around. And she isn't all wild and crazy and so hopefully my cats won't hate having her around. Any pointers on bringing a dog into a home that cats previously owned are greatly appreciated.

[goldfinch]

Oh Posse, what a sweet dog. It breaks my heart that people would chose to kill a dog just because they can't keep it any more. Good for the vet in refusing to do so.

[skhill]

Stella (dog) and Joe (cat) enjoying a quiet moment together. My cats have always lived with a dog, so they aren't shy about using their claws to lay down the law. Joe really wants Stella to be his best friend; she's not so sure about all this but puts up with him.

[roadie gal]

She isn't mine yet, but the plan is she will come home with me next weekend and see how my cats deal with her. She's a senior, a bull mastiff, and at a vet my friend uses. The owner couldn't keep her anymore and wanted them to put her down. The vet said she is about the most loving dog any of them had ever met and they just couldn't. So the owner signed her over to them and they are keeping her, dealing with a skin infection she has, and looking for a home for her. I thought this was a good way to maybe bring a dog into my family, as she is so easy going she doesn't even care that a cat is around. And she isn't all wild and crazy and so hopefully my cats won't hate having her around. Any pointers on bringing a dog into a home that cats previously owned are greatly appreciated.

When we got our first dog we already had 2 middle aged cats. What we did was to get a baby gate that kept the dog downstairs. We put a second food dish and a second litter box upstairs so the cats could be completely away from the dog if they wanted. They could sniff the dog through the gate, but he couldn't get to them. It took about a month for the cats to be comfortable enough to hang out downstairs with the dog. That's when we finally took down the gate and got rid of the second box and food bowl. You definitely want to give the cats a place to feel safe and away from the dog. It's best if they can also "spy" on the dog while they get used to him.

[Norse]

Any pointers on bringing a dog into a home that cats previously owned are greatly appreciated.

What a great thing you want to do for this 'ole, loving dog! When we brought Katy (dog in my avatar) home from the shelter, she had to learn to live with three cats who were not so sure they wanted her around. The first couple of weeks, we kept Katy in a dog crate while we were at work, in an area that the cats frequented. They could all see each other and get used to their smells, but no worries about any fights. Katy would come out and interact with the cats when we were there to supervise. After doing this for a couple of weeks, we could tell they were all ready to be together without the barrier of the crate. Katy has been the cats' best friend ever since.

[thekarens]

Charlie, Caesar and Mia


Madeleine, who doesn't know that sleeping like that isn't ladylike


Josie


Minnie Mouse


Beau bird

We also have fish and two human children

[PamNY]

My bulldog Lloyd suddenly lost his appetite and became lethargic. The vet thinks it might be cancer -- sonogram next week. He is 12.5 years old -- that's very, very old for a bulldog, so I will not consider surgery regardless of what the sonogram tells us. I'm grateful for his long life -- but of course, it's never long enough. I'm just sitting here listening to him breathe.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8867349...in/photostream

[emily_in_nc]

Awww, so sorry, Pam. Since Lloyd (great name!) has had a good long life, I completely agree with not putting him through surgery if it is cancer. It's so sad that our beloved fur-kids can't live longer lives.

Wishing the best for you and Lloyd.

[7rider]

My bulldog Lloyd suddenly lost his appetite and became lethargic. The vet thinks it might be cancer -- sonogram next week. He is 12.5 years old -- that's very, very old for a bulldog, so I will not consider surgery regardless of what the sonogram tells us. I'm grateful for his long life -- but of course, it's never long enough. I'm just sitting here listening to him breathe.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8867349...in/photostream

Pam - I just spent far too much time looking at many of your wonderful bird photos on that flickr site! What a great job! They are super - you are quite the photographer.
So sorry to hear of Lloyd. He seems to be quite your traveling companion.

[Owlie]

((Pam))

Hoping for the best for you and Lloyd, whatever that may be.

[Norse]

Awww.... (((Pam and Lloyd))).

[indysteel]

((((Pam)))) I'm so sorry to hear this. Hugs to you and Lloyd. Keep us posted.

[Possegal]

I had a bullie growing up, best dog EVER. I'm so sorry. Lloyd has had a wonderful long life but you are so right, never long enough!