My Gingham and Calico Dilemma

[billfl]

I have a bit of a problem. OK, it's not a problem yet, but it's looming at the horizon. I can tell.

There's this cat that's been roaming our neighborhood for about a year or so. It's black and white and basically just walks around, doing cat-type things. Here he is.

Comments

[ysidro]

Find a no kill shelter that will take the cat?

[billfl]

I don't know if we have any around these here parts, but it bears looking into.

[epiphany]

Personally I'm annoyed with the family up the street, because, let me get this straight... They declawed the cat and then just let him loose in the neighborhood because they don't want him anymore? Let's send that toddler away to the no-kill shelter too while we're at it.

I'm of the belief that cats come to live with you for a reason and it's possible that over time Piper and the cat will work it out. Get Paula to talk to both of them if she's up for it and see if she can't negotiate a deal.

[billfl]

Well, in fairness to them, they didn't actually turn him out, he just got loose. But they have decided they don't want him back, which I find hard to understand, especially since they got him from at one of those Animal Shelter rescue things they have PetCo or PetSmart or PetDoodad.

Paula is considering what to do. She wants to open negotiations, but ther's some kind of disagreement about the placement of flags at the table and so forth.

[sharkbait]

Lenny will probably have a better chance in the house even with Piper after him than he will outside after having been declawed. :/ One of my dogs hated all cats but as long as the cat was smart enough to not try and get on top of her to lay down or brush past her too much, they'd have a truce of sorts when around each other. It could work the same for you after they pose and bark and hiss some at each other.

[billfl]

It may have to come to that, I guess. I just don't know if I have enough nerve endings to endure the transition period.

[ultra_lilac]

Keep the cat in one room for a week or so. Swap the dog's and cat's bedding over every day until they get used to each others scent before they meet

[billfl]

This is all good advice (except for the bedding thing - Piper sleeps in the bed, so it's a bit impractical to move that around every day).

If it comes down to it, I promise not to let the cat freeze.

PS Does Mr Poops want a kitty friend?

[kentamundo]

I admit to being a bit of a softie for cats, having two calicos myself, but do find myself agreeing that the cat & dog could possibly find a way to co-exist.

Maybe you & the cat wouldn't, but that's another story.

I wouldn't trust the family down the street, though.

[billfl]

There are days the dog and I have problems co-existing.

I am a bit miffed at said family. I don't care how many kids/dogs/cats you have, when you take in an animal, you're making a commitment to it. That they're backing out speaks ill of them to me, frankly.

[kentamundo]

Who knows, maybe this will turn into a surprise love story.

With the cat, that is.