The Adventures of Cat Meets Dog!

Save 50% at PetSmart.com

All proceeds from this link will be donated to the

Humane Society Pet Adoption Program

Just days into a two-week business trip, it was clear I had to replace my husband as Chief Mouser Officer for the household with a cat.  The night before leaving, I had the pleasure of seeing two mice run in my hallway within hours of each other...And we all know if you "see" two you likely have dozens.   To spare my husband the stress of seeing dead mice strapped to guillotine-like contraptions, I set some spin traps that capture the disgusting little critters in a concealed box.   And off I went to Chicago and NY.  Nightly I texted home for an update on Project Rodent Removal.  And this is how it went:

Jeanette:    Dear John,  Did you catch any mice tonight?

John:          Dear Jeanette, They left a note asking for Nutella.

It was this very moment that I decided with no turning back I was getting a cat even though I knew nothing about cats, didn't really want one, and could be allergic to one.  And that is exactly what I did.  

On October 30, I brought home a beautiful white cat from the Eagle Valley Humane Society that actually chose me and my daughters, like pets do.  She saw us at the shelter and knew we were for her.  All the other cats stayed snoozing or stealthing around, but she came to the people area, waited, meowed, and tried to climb the fence to get to us when we took too long to get to her. 

Artemis Taking Over the
Former Dog Bed
(Select beds now 50% off at
these PetSmart.com links.)

 So that was it.  We had our cat, and new Chief Mouser Officer for the McMurtry Household.  Her name?   Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt.  

The fun was just beginning as now, we had the daunting task of introducing Cat to Dogs!

Here are some tips provided by the Humane Society and a few others:

1.  Introduce the cat in a crate before giving them access to each other.  This way they can get used to the fact that other exists, stare, bark and hiss at each other with no real threat.  In time they will get used to each other and be calm.  Per the photo, this is AJ and Artemis have a staring contest.  AJ won as she stared for almost an hour before I made her leave.
Artemis slept through at least half of it. 

2.  Let the dog and cat take turns staying locked up in a room while the other roams freely and sniffs the other's scent throughout the house.  You can also wipe each pet down with a cloth and put the cloth in the opposing pet's bed so they get used to each other's scent as a friendly odor vs. an enemy warning.

3. Gradually introduce in open space at the time, with one pet being held on a leash or in your arms, and the other free, then vice versa.

If the above fails, hire a pet therapist!

Abrial is a sweet, calm, young cat.
Perfect for any family.

Please help other pets find forever homes!  Link to PetSmart.com from this site.  

All proceeds credited to this site will be donated to the Eagle Valley Humane Society!  



Special Offers at PetSmart.com for Blog Visitors include.
Click on links below to get either offer.

50% off select beds and other items 

OR

$10 off $60.00 Valid through November 24, 2013!