it was a stare down...

PLEASE don't get on me about introductions, because in our current living situation, Holland and the dogs are not meant to spend time together (as we ALL hope this living situation is temporary... ).

But Jakey made his way downstairs this afternoon. Poor Jake got in a scuffle with another dog over the weekend, so he is feeling very sorry for himself with his stitches, his head wrap, and his cone of shame. I was here to supervise, because I didn't know how Holland or Jake would react... they basically stared at each other from across the room for a good 15 minutes:

My poor dog-nephew, in his cone of shame:



And Holland, apparently in a "safe enough" place she didn't feel the need to run away:



This one is just because it made me laugh... Are you a kitty or an octopus?!?:

He looks so serious and loves a peaceful place. That's a cute and must be a warm cuddle too!

Poor Jakey....those darn collars have to be uncomfortable. Sounds like Holland felt secure enough that there were no problems.

I like her octopus picture! I've heard of cats with nine lives, but never cats with nine legs! Sure looks like a lot of legs there!

Awww, poor Jakey! Holland does not look impressed with him AT ALL!

Jakey does loo terribly terribly sorry for himself. Perhaps Holland is sympathetic and would like to make friends?

Is she nursey at all?

Originally Posted by otto

Jakey does loo terribly terribly sorry for himself. Perhaps Holland is sympathetic and would like to make friends?

Is she nursey at all?

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Well, she hasn't really spent time around any other animals, when I adopted her she was in the kitten room with all the others kittens playing around her, and she was... sleeping. That's my girl!

Though she does know when I'm not feeling well and need some extra cuddles, so maybe!

And poor Jake... he's a sweet dog, but we think he missed out on getting the doggie etiquette skills, so other dogs seem to pick on him ALL the time.

They're doing it again. I don't have any experience with introductions, and as I said, Holland and the dogs weren't really meant to hang out and become BFFs...

But Jake is down again, he laid down at the bottom of the stairs, and he and Holland are just staring at each other. What do I do? Neither of them is being aggressive in ANY way, but he is laying right in front of the door to the room where Holland's litter box is (though she knows how to get through the "back" way via the unfinished shower).

Holland isn't showing any signs of distress, is this a "proper" introduction method? Should I make Jake go back upstairs? Should I let them continue to stare each other down? Help!!

As long as you are there to observe, let them be. They could both benefit from the friendship, I am sure. Dogs and cats do often become deeply attached to one another.

Thanks, otto. They are now about 6 feet apart, just looking, looking, looking. I will never allow Holland to be with the dogs when I'm not present, but the mere fact that she is NOT running away I guess means she's open to the friendship...

Aw, poor Jakey. He looks so sad in his cone of shame. Holland is a beautiful girl. I love seeing pics of her. I don't have much advice for intros because I've never done it, but it seems like they are doing OK for now.

Holland is a cautious girl by nature, which is a good thing...she'll be naturally alert around Jake, and ready to bolt if he does anything she doesn't like. And let's face it, Jake's a bit limited in his big ole' Cone of Shame right now, poor guy.

Just try to stay near them if they get close to one another, and keep an eye on Jake - it's always the dog you want to "control," not the cat (as a cat owner dealing with somebody else's dogs myself, this is hard - my first instinct is always to reach for the cat, not the dog). He's pretty miserable right now, so he's probably too happy to be in a peaceful place to care much, but watch his body language. A hyper-intent stare (with no blinking) combined with a still-as-a-statue body and tensed muscles, indicates he's viewing the cat as prey. You'd want to distract him and break his concentration if you notice that (and believe me, you'd notice it - there's something really intense about a dog in predator mode).

Really though, if all's been well so far, he is probably a pretty laid back boy and will be fine. He sounds like a typical "low man on the totem pole" in pack hierarchy, so he's likely pretty passive by nature.

Thanks for the advice & info, Amanda. They both do break eye contact, and both of them have nearly fallen asleep while "watching" each other. Jake did bark at Holland when she dared to move, at which point I put him out of her space.

I feel bad for the poor guy, and I sense he's coming downstairs because I'm the only one home during the day right now and he wants some loves. But Holland is my #1, and while I feel bad for kinda kicking Jake out, I know he will survive until his people get home.

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

Thanks for the advice & info, Amanda. They both do break eye contact, and both of them have nearly fallen asleep while "watching" each other. Jake did bark at Holland when she dared to move, at which point I put him out of her space.

I feel bad for the poor guy, and I sense he's coming downstairs because I'm the only one home during the day right now and he wants some loves. But Holland is my #1, and while I feel bad for kinda kicking Jake out, I know he will survive until his people get home.

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Removing him was the exact right thing to do. Now Jake knows that if he barks at Holland he isn't allowed to stay.

Depending on his intelligence it may take a time or two more for him to catch on, but he sounds like the kind of dog who will.

I know you won't ever leave the two of them alone together, but I love love love the idea of Holland and Jake becoming friends and I think, based on the pictures and what you have shared with us, that it is a distinct possibility!

Poor pup

Holland looks like she has really soft fur!

Originally Posted by otto

I know you won't ever leave the two of them alone together, but I love love love the idea of Holland and Jake becoming friends and I think, based on the pictures and what you have shared with us, that it is a distinct possibility!

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Otto, I hope so... I am VERY proud of both of them for their behavior around each other. And although I have known Jake longer than I have known Holland - she is my baby and I have to look out for her. Since I've had her, she has been terrified of dogs, so it absolutely amazes me that she doesn't run away when Jake comes to visit. I hope we continue to make progress!!!

Originally Posted by d3sire86

Holland looks like she has really soft fur!

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She does. She is my good little groomer, and her coat is incredibly soft and silky!!

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

Otto, I hope so...

I am VERY proud of both of them for their behavior around each other. And although I have known Jake longer than I have known Holland - she is my baby and I have to look out for her. Since I've had her, she has been terrified of dogs, so it absolutely amazes me that she doesn't run away when Jake comes to visit. I hope we continue to make progress!!!

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for new buddies! You absolutely have to look out for Holland - after all, she's your baby, and she's teeny-tiny compared to Jake! Otto is right, if Jake barks or anything and gets shut out of the room, he'll make the connection pretty quick. And if she's so receptive to a new animal buddy, it will pave the way for a new feline brother or sister sometime down the road...

Originally Posted by at129

And if she's so receptive to a new animal buddy, it will pave the way for a new feline brother or sister sometime down the road...

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I hope so! I love my little girl, but I would also love to get her a buddy someday soon...

This poor guy. As of today, everyone else in the house is on vacation, so I've got the dogs and my kitty to myself for a while. Talk about starving for affection, Jake has had his cone-enshrouded head on my leg for the last two hours...



Good news? Holland has remained about 3 feet away from him the entire time he's been attached to my side. He hasn't barked, though he did growl at her a time or two. I didn't remove him, but I firmly told him "NO" and kept my hand on his collar, just in case.

I think Jake feels too sorry for himself right now to care that there's a cat in the room, and I think Holland is going to give me some serious cold shoulder for loving on another creature for so long... I'll have to make it up to her later. I think I've got a can of Fancy Feast in the cupboard...

Oh dear Lord, that FACE! Who could resist those sad eyes? I'm so glad you and Holland are there to keep him company.

And seriously - go Holland!!! What a brave, smart girl she is.

I know, poor Jakey...

My nieces and nephew left with my mom & sister on Tuesday (road-tripping) and my BIL left today (flying). Jake has really been missing his kids, in addition to having that darn cone on his head. I'm taking him to his follow-up vet appt tomorrow, though I doubt they'll be able to remove the stitches yet.

Holland is a trooper, and she did get extra cuddles and treats tonight...