Cats & dogs - friends or foes?

We are here to debunk the long-standing rumor that cats and dogs can’t share the same roof, let alone bed.

Which of course, they can and do. In fact, the interaction between these two equally adorable, but very different, types of pet is priceless. Those who have a mixed household will surely back me up on this.

For those of you who have yet to experience the joy of inter-pet household but are considering bringing a cat into a dog household or vice versa, here are just a few tips and tricks to get you started.

Don't force it
Let your kitties and doggies acclimate to each other on their own time. What we've found is that the best way to let them get close but not too close is with baby gates. You'll be surprised how quickly the kitty realizes that he or she is safe and that it's four-legged sibling can't get through the gate. They can smell, sniff and even paw at each other with the gate safely between them. And give it time. It probably took you awhile to get to to know your friends, so allow your pets time to adjust as well.

Pay attention
Animals can get jealous and even a very mellow dog or cat might snap at the new addition when they see them being showered with attention from their human. Make sure that you take time away from the new furry one and still cuddle with your current pet. And don't forget praise and treats! Reward positive interactions every chance you get!

Some preparations won't hurt either: trimming your cats nails and taking your dog for a run or walk to burn off some energy (and for younger or more rumbustious doggies keeping him or her on a leash) is a great way to ensure that the first interaction is safe as possible.

Location, location, location
For a cat-condo, that is. There are plenty of cat trees to choose from at your nearest pet store, or if you're handy with a hammer and nails, you could even build one yourself. Don't have the room? Any other safety zone that will allow the kitty to make their way up, out of reach from the curious dog, will do just fine. Think counters, TV stands, fireplace mantles, windowsills, etc.

Set your expectations
Lastly, please be patient. And don't expect your feline and canine to become best friends overnight. Or even after years of living together, despite the plethora of Facebook pictures showing sleepy, cuddling puppies and kitties.

And yes, your pooch might try to play with or even chase the cat once in a while. And will probably get a few scratches in return. Neither of those makes the dog predatory or the cat vicious. However, do interrupt the chasing or any other aggressive behavior as soon as it occurs and redirect the pets attention with toys, another activity or, you guessed it, treats! Follow best practices of having a mixed household and as long as the cat and dog feel safe and happy in your home, consider the co-habitation successful.

Please do the homework before expanding your family and talk to your rescue organization to learn how your new pet may interact with other animals. Otherwise, your new and old family members could end up fighting like, well, you know.

13 Dogs and Counting

Thank you to Lisl and her husband, Enrique, for sharing their story. 

And for being fantastic human beings.

C.A.R.E.: So let's start at the beginning, did you have pets growing up?
Lisl: Ha, did I ever! Lots and lots of them - rabbits, chickens, rats, hamsters, dogs, cats. And I was famous for rescuing baby gophers, mice, baby birds, you name it. And also bringing home strays.

C.A.R.E.: Wow, that is quite the list... I'm sure your parents were just thrilled!
Lisl: Actually, my mom was an animal lover too and so always went along with my schemes. Even after I moved out she continued to bring home the strays who were dumped on our rural property.

C.A.R.E.: Sounds like it runs in the family! And how about your husband, Enrique, same pet-filled childhood as you?
Lisl: Nope, not even close! My husband didn't have a single pet growing up. Can you believe that? And was deathly afraid of dogs - especially after being chased by a big dog when he was little. He wasn't very happy when we (as a couple) got our first dog, a Jack Russell. But he fell in love quickly and now is a huge and dedicated dog lover.

C.A.R.E.: Dedicated dog lover, what a great title!
Lisl: He really is! He is an amazing part of our support and rescue efforts with C.A.R.E. and other rescue organizations. And he's every bit involved in this as I am. He does just as much if not more of the physical work and he loves the doggies very much.

C.A.R.E.: So how did you first become involved with helping animals? Or shall we say, how did you guys become dedicated animal lovers?
Lisl: Well, after our Jack Russell, Jacky, died of cancer I knew I couldn't live without another dog. I just knew it. My husband however, was so heartbroken and shattered that he said no. He couldn't go through that ever again.

C.A.R.E.: That's understandable. It's hard to move on after a loss.
Lisl: It is. However, I was determined to adopt again.

C.A.R.E.: Haha, not a big surprise. So what did you do?
Lisl: I started the search, very sneakily I might add, for the "perfect" dog. After days on petfinder.com I did find a wonderful little guy, Gus, at PAWS in Fowler, CA.

C.A.R.E.: Did that work, did you convince your husband? Was it love at first sight?
Lisl: Pretty much. To make a long story short, we had such an amazing experience with Gus that we then looked for a little girl and found Daisy at C.A.R.E. One thing led to another and we found ourselves adopting more and more dogs - our next two after Daisy were from C.A.R.E., Poppy and Lily. Then...

C.A.R.E.: Of course there is a "then"!
Lisl: Haha, yes, there is. We've always supported shelters with donations, and then one day started to put together "care packages" - bags and baskets of treats, toys, blankets, towels, leashes, collars, harnesses, food! We'd visit the shelters where we had adopted our pets, which grew to about ten, and drop off the packages.

C.A.R.E.: That is just amazing.
Lisl: And things just kind of built on each other. We'd visit the shelters, hear about another need, meet another dog who needed a home. We'd try and help.

C.A.R.E.: We're assuming there's a another "then"...
Lisl: Yes, of course. Then, before we knew it, we were getting involved with more and more shelters, fostering, transporting animals, donating food. We've also contributed to one particular shelter that was growing - trees and building materials, kennels, plastic pools - that sort of thing. We've helped cover veterinary bills and stolen dog rewards. And then there are the occasional fundraisers. I love doing those!

C.A.R.E.: Whew!
Lisl: Yep, we are pretty busy, but there is just so much need! And once we started, we couldn't stop. We just kept finding ways we could help.

For example, one of our dogs was rescued from an animal sanctuary, that was anything but. More than 70 animals were seized from Crystal Kisicki's St. Francis All Creature Rescue and Sanctuary, including our Emma - dogs, cats, birds, even a pig. It's still hard to think about how the poor animals were found. The squalor, the diseases, the starvation, the sheer neglect...

C.A.R.E.: That's terrible.
Lisl: It was. It really was. And I had to do something. So now, I'm actively working with the DA to put her in prison. Before I knew about the abominable conditions, I was supporting her rescue just like everyone else! She really fooled everyone.

C.A.R.E.: Good for you! So how about your other dogs, how did they come into your life?
Lisl: Oh my, from all over, really! Some were fosters and we just couldn't give them up. Four were from petfinder.com. And then from petfinder.com, relationships were established and five more came from those relationships. One was from a Petsmart adoption, and three from Facebook connections.

C.A.R.E.: We're doing the math here... 
Lisl: Haha, yes, that is a lot of dogs. Right now we have 13 precious babies. Some even accompany us on transport trips.

C.A.R.E.: Accompany you? We have to hear this!
Lisl: Emma is such a mother and is the little "nurse" of the family. She's made the newbies feel more at home, the scared ones feel safe, and is just the friendliest, sweetest doggie. And one day we just started to bring her on transports. It's been great! One of our other dogs, Daisy, has also gone on one long trip. The last drive before we flew to Los Angeles to pick up a dog named Ruby.

C.A.R.E.: And what's Ruby's story?
Lisl: We saw a dog on a euthanasia list down in L.A., and just couldn't let that happen. The poor baby was only two pounds, pregnant, had 20 foxtails, kennel cough and was malnourished. How could I turn my back? We went down there for a fundraising event, and then flew Ruby back with us.

C.A.R.E.: Flew her back?
Lisl: That's right. We bought her a ticket and she flew back on my lap. None of the flight attendants said anything because one, I did buy a ticket, but two, I gave them all Godiva chocolates so they would overlook me breaking the rules.

C.A.R.E.: What a great life lesson: chocolate does solve most life problems.
Lisl: It sure does!

C.A.R.E.: So what happened with the doggie?
Lisl:  She is now lucky 13 - Miss Ruby Roo - two days from euthanasia but now part of our pack.

C.A.R.E.: Gosh. What a wonderful story. So 13 dogs, is that the most number of dogs you've had in your home at one time?
Lisl: It is. We have two boys and the rest are girls. All Chihuahuas and Chihuahuas/Terriers.

C.A.R.E.: So here's a tricky question, do you remember the first dog you've ever rescued?
Lisl: Oh my, yes. I can never forget him. Ever. He was the most special boy in my life. Pepe. I dream of the day I am reunited with him at Rainbow Bridge.

C.A.R.E.: I'm sure you will be! Any idea of how many dogs, so far, you've helped find homes for?
Lisl: Aside from my own, I would say about 12-15. That's dogs I have transported, fostered, including a dog with her pups.

C.A.R.E.: And you mentioned that a few of your doggies are from C.A.R.E.?
Lisl: They sure are!  Daisy, Poppy, and Lily.

C.A.R.E.: Wow! And how did you choose those guys?
Lisl: I didn't. They all just stole my heart. Haha. Daisy was the first. She was so cute we couldn't resist. She was Gus' companion and perfect. Poppy was chosen when Chihuahuas were so overcrowding the shelters they had no kennels for them. She had leg issues and we wanted her to feel special. Lily had physical issues and we thought we could fit her in with our little pack. She is amazing.

C.A.R.E.: To say you're busy is an understatement. And you work too! Dare we ask what your normal day looks like?
Lisl: Wow! Well, we are up before 5am so we can carry most of our babies downstairs as some have issues with legs or backs; some are just tiny and have trouble with the stairs. Then they all need to go out to do business and then it's feeding time. It's about an hour at least to organize everyone before our work day.

C.A.R.E.: It's like a small zoo!
Lisl: It sometimes feels like it. But our home is very clean and we are hugely organized. We have a housekeeper come by once a week and a dog-sitter three times per week. Some of the dogs with issues have large kennels, as do the teeny ones. Everyone is pretty good with potty training and they all get along pretty well, too. Gus is the alpha and keeps the others in line. It all just kind of works.

We get home late and it all starts over again the next morning.

C.A.R.E.: We probably know the answer to this, but we'll ask anyway - do you ever get overwhelmed?
Lisl: Yes, of course. There's a lot to do between the vetting, the Petsmart trips, the shelter visits, the day-to-day at home, everyone has special diet needs, everyone wants attention. But we can't imagine our lives any other way.

C.A.R.E.: Not that you're not busy enough, but what's next for you and your husband?
Lisl: Our big next is the Daisy Hill Puppy Foundation, all you Snoopy fans out there know the reference. This is something we're hoping to start very soon. Through the foundation we'll continue to help animals who need the help most, ones who have no one. And there are many. We thought it would be this year but we both work full time and keep putting it off. We're hopelessly busy, with our dogs and our lives. But it's going to happen and I can't wait.

C.A.R.E.: Your story is amazing. You guys are amazing.
Lisl: The dogs are the amazing ones. We're just grateful to have them in our lives.

C.A.R.E.: So finally, what words of encouragement do you have for those who want to help with this cause?
Lisl: If you want to do this, remember that saving one dog means everything. You can't save them all. But each one you save makes a difference. It's so rewarding and changes you for the better. Our life is so fulfilled for doing this. And we have met some of the best people because of it. No one should wait if they want to volunteer, adopt, foster, or just write a check. It will really, really change your life. I promise.

Meet Cassie

When Cassie first came to live with us, she was shy, skittish, and scared.

Tailed tucked firmly under her belly, she ignored a basket full of squeaky toys and no amount of treats could convince her to sleep in the ginormous bone-shaped doggie bed my husband and I carefully picked out at the store. Instead, she politely but stubbornly stared at us from under-the-bed safety.

Weeks went by but Cassie's big Chihuahua ears stayed pinned back. She was cautious of our harmless 10-year old beagle and avoided our two curious cats like the plague. In Cassie's defense, both are quite a bit bigger than she is. Loud noises petrified her.

Changes happened gradually, often when we weren't even paying attention. One day, Cassie didn't hide when I started the vacuum. Another time, she marched bravely past Niko-the-cat as if he wasn't even there. And yet another, Cassie didn't cross the street when a big dog walked towards her. Her ears perked up and her tail no longer touched her belly.

We've had Cassie for over a year, and are still seeing changes in this brave, precious bundle of joy. She adores us and greets us with enthusiastic barks when we come home from work. She loves her older sister, although does draw the line at sharing treats with her. The squeaky toys and the bone-shaped bed are in full use. And instead of giving up her warm spot to Niko, Cassie graciously shares her favorite couch cushion. She was there first, after all.

Have you adopted from C.A.R.E.? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Just comment or send us a note ("Send us a Note" tool on the right-hand side) and see your own adoption story published on the C.A.R.E. blog.

Cassie, adopted from C.A.R.E by Nathan and Natasha, March 2012