Bestest Friend and I are doing a blog project. Every day we will write a blog post on a pre-determined theme chosen by a random noun generator. The theme for the twelfth day of the month is "Complaint."
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| Who do you have your money on in this scenario? |
For the entire three years that we've had Hannah the Dog, she's been basically a perfect dog. We told ourselves that it was because we did all the "right" things like taking her to training classes, doing the two-week shutdown perfectly, and setting boundaries from the beginning. But, it turns out that she's probably been such a good dog from the beginning because she's never really felt healthy.
When we first got her, she had all the things rescue dogs have - the tapeworms and the hookworms. Then it took us a while to figure out the food situation for her to stop her from having so many gastrointestinal issues. Just as it seemed all that was under control, she was diagnosed with discospondylitis in her spine and it has been quite challenging to treat. So all that means is that poor Hannah has spent most of the last three years not really being able to live her best dog life.
Which has really benefited Zelda the Cat.
Recently, Hannah has clearly been feeling a lot better. We have a follow-up appointment next week and I'm cautiously optimistic that her scans will show improvement. She's starting to jump more, eat better, go on longer walks, participate eagerly in training, and chase the cat. Poor, poor Zelda.
So my very minor complaint is that I wish that the Hannah who feels better was more chill when it comes to the cat. Hannah just wants to play, that's clear. She doesn't think Zelda is prey or anything. Is there anything cuter than a 50-pound dog doing a puppy bow to initiate play in front of a 10-pound cat?! But Zelda does not want to play with that gloriously oafish giant. She wants to be left alone.
Are there any pet disagreements in your house?
As a catman I think I’d advise the dog to give up trying. Cats don’t change their minds readily. 😀
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. Zelda's never going to become friendly. :)
DeleteNo pet disagreements, but sometimes Rex wants to play with dogs we see when we are ON leash, and that is tricky to navigate with a 100 pound dog!
ReplyDeleteYes, I imagine that trying to contain 100 pounds is quite a feat!
DeleteHa! I am so delighted that Hannah is feeling better; you've put so much love into her treatment (and money and time, too - but I bet the love is the biggest thing of all that's benefiting her!).
ReplyDeleteAlso, as always, Hannah looks gorgeous!
I will pass on the compliment to Hannah. She's definitely feeling better and I hope that shows in her body language.
DeleteHooray that Hannah is feeling better! That's the important thing.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbors have a nice "alliance" system for their cat and dog. They installed a cat flap in the door of their oldest daughter's bedroom which is where the cat's food and toys are. This way the cat has access to the entire house and the dog has access to all of the house except for one room, and the cat has a haven for when the dog wants to play and the cat doesn't. The only thing that the humans have to do to make the system work is to keep the bedroom door closed. I thought that was pretty genius.
We have a downstairs bathroom with a baby gate on it that has a cat size opening and that's where Zelda's litter and water are. She will go in there to hide from the dog when she's absolutely fed up, but she's far more likely to jump on a couch or one of her cat trees. So, it's a similar system here of the cat has the full run of the downstairs and the dog has the same access minus one room. At night, we put the dog in the mudroom (which is a sizeable space) and the cat has the rest of the downstairs.
DeleteWell, let's see. Our black cat, Charlotte, HATES the other cat (Muffin.) We got Muffin as a kitten and she's always been oblivious to this fact. She'll go running excitedly up to Charlotte, obviously saying "Hello, best friend!" Charlotte will hiss angrily and back away. Ten minutes later the whole scenario will repeat, and will probably repeat for the rest of their lives. Charlotte seems resigned to this awful fate, and tries to avoid Muffin as often as possible. The kids and I have a secret plot to get a third cat for Muffin to play with (my husband says no right now, but we'll see...) Anyway.... I feel bad for Zelda, but I'm thrilled that Hannah is feeling better! It sounds like Zelda has her private areas to be alone, so she'll be fine. And maybe everything will settle down eventually. This could just be another phase that will pass.
ReplyDeleteAwwww...it does seem like Muffin needs a friend. I 100% support your secret plot to get her a buddy!
DeletePoor Zelda! I'm very glad to hear that Hannah is feeling better, though. We are a one pet family, so we don't have any issues. I do remember growing up, there being cat-on-cat issues sometimes. Our dog was usually the one to adopt a new cat, letting it eat from her bowl and sleep with her outside, so no dog-on-cat problems.
ReplyDeleteI have DREAMS that Hannah and Zelda will be cuddle buddies, but so far it just has not happened. Someday. Maybe.
DeleteI mean, HOORAY that Hannah is doing so well! That is wonderful news, and I'm glad she has more pep in her step these days! That is so heartening, and such a tribute to the way you have loved her and cared for her. But awwww poor Zelda. I mean, it looks like she can hold her own (my money is definitely on her -- she has that feisty, I-won't-take-crap-from-anyone air about her) but it must certainly be irritating to her to have this dog in her face all the time now.
ReplyDeleteEveryone's money should be on Zelda. She has claws and isn't afraid to use them! (Hannah knows this for a fact!)
DeleteI am so so glad to hear that Hannah's health is improving and it's a great sign that she wants to play with Zelda, but unless Zelda is just a little bit open to it, I don't think Hannah stands a chance. From what I know (second-hand knowledge, hehe) cats can be pretty stubborn.
ReplyDeleteYour money is on the right animal. Zelda is definitely the alpha in this relationship and they both know it.
DeleteI am glad to hear that Hannah's health is improving! We don't have pets but it always crack's me up how our neighbor's bulldog thinks he is still a small puppy. Also: back in the day when he was still alive our dog did not have a chance with the neighbor's cat.
ReplyDeleteNo pets in this house but plenty outside the window and they often have disagreements. It is fun to watch nature and how co-existing works and what kind of triggers and patterns emerge.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that with your great care, Hannah is starting to live her best life. Bravo! Poor Zelda though; she's not an eager participant.
ReplyDeleteUmmm...Lillie isn't exactly thrilled with her new roommate, and has to put Peanut in her place a few times a day.
Gosh, I am mostly just so, so, SO happy to hear that Hannah is feeling better! What a relief that must be. And now she gets to be the playful lil puppy she always could be. <3333
ReplyDeleteMy money is on Zelda, of course.
The girls have fights from time to time. They mostly coexist happily and then a few times a day will chase each other around the apartment and I'll hear some loud meows and hissing. Sisters, man!
Oh, it warms my heart to hear that Hannah is... being a dog! Poor Zelda. What a change after so many years without a dog-acting dog around. I suspect she'll eventually come out on top though.
ReplyDeleteHoping for good news from the vet...