Our Animal Family

A rush of paws, a frightened yelp and a very worried little dog is standing near the middle of the family room while an initially self satisfied but now looking a little guilty Puss is strolling casually around on the opposite side of the room pretending nothing happened. He apparently jumped over her and scared the wits out of her. Poor wee dog. She's gone over to him now and they're rubbing noses so all is forgiven.

Puss does not like having his photo taken.

















Little dog, on the other hand, poses sweetly as soon as a camera appears.

And posing

And posing

And if you don't notice her immediately, she stands in front of you and the camera. I'm not sure what she thinks is happening but she just has to be part of it

It's interesting how the two rub along. Doggie is a worrier, Puss is ( as a result of his traumatic kittenhood) very nervous but because he has been brought up with her since then he has adopted a lot of doggish behaviour so rubbing noses and sniffing each other are very much part of the way he lives his life. As well, one of his favourite games is fetch. Just like the dog he brings things to be thrown and then brings them back. It doesn't stop him playing cat games, of course. Chasing lights and shadows and ambushing are very popular too as is teasing the dog.

For the most part they get on well. They remind me of a bossy older sister who wants everything done correctly and a naughty little brother who likes to push her buttons and sometimes oversteps the boundaries.

Given how traumatised Puss was when he came to us his occasional misdemeanours are forgivable. He's turned into a good natured, affectionate cat within the family although he is still terrified of strangers and a loud noise will send him under the nearest bed for several hours.

What prompted this post was a letter to the editor in our local paper where a woman had written a lengthy diatribe about how cats and dogs should not be let into the house because they carry diseases. It was full of inflamatory statements, most of which were incorrect. Personally, I feel sorry for her - and even more for any dog or cat she ever owns. She will never know the joy of being greeted by a creature who loves you unconditionally, who sees you as the most important person in the world. I wouldn't miss out on that for anything.