Integrating young cat and old dog.

[Traci]

Slvrwhispr, Tambrey has said it all, you have to take care of YOU too. It could also be that Izzy is picking up on all YOUR stress, and the sudden relocation/packing/moving so suddenly etc. Remember, she feels she has been thrust into a totally new environment!

Your last post sounded good, and I think you're doing all the right things. Having Izzy in the same space with Tyler for small amounts of time is good so they can at least get a bit acclimated to each other. Tyler is probably more curious than anything, but Izzy is probably fearful and stressed. It is also probably difficult for her to be confined in your bedroom since she has always been an only cat and has had full run of your previous home, so every chance you get, bring her out into safe areas and let her investigate. If possible, have Tyler in another room while Izzy investigates a room or two, and a bit more time each day, but also allow them to share the same space a few times a day with careful supervision. Your dad sounds like he's pretty cool, and is willing to work with Tyler and the leash.

Be careful about sharing the blanket, particularly if Tyler is being on regular maintenance with flea product applications, you don't want dog flea products anywhere near Izzy. Allowing them to each smell each other's belongings, and each other is fine, but I think I would keep it at that and nothing further as far as scents go.

Having Izzy around (eventually) may actually be good for Tyler, in that he may become more active and of course, have a companion. Izzy might surprise you and may become fond of Tyler eventually, providing that their introductions are smooth and not too stressful, and providing that Tyler doesn't mess with her space! Give it time, take one day at a time, and make sure both pets get lots of individual attention and love.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, and my heart goes out to you, I know how difficult this must be for you and want you to know you have our support! I'm glad you have your parents to be with and to support you, it's not fun being alone in this type of situation! But do take care of yourself and Izzy and take one day at a time, ok?

((((((HUGS)))))))

[slvrwhispr]

Traci, thanks so much. Like I said in my first post, I know that the people here are wonderfully supportive, and I appreciate that so much.

Izzy is going a little stir-crazy in the bedroom, BUT she has multiple windows to look out of, which she's not used to. And lots of furniture to jump around on, despite my protests... LOL.

My parents have been fantastic. They both come in and spend time with her too so she gets used to them. They bring her treats and pet her and she's getting more comfortable with them, too. She's very clingy to me, though, which is odd for her. So I'm just keeping an eye on her and giving her the attention she wants. It's so funny because sometimes it'll look like she's trying to protect me, other times she tries to hide behind me. Poor kitten.

Tyler's not on any sort of flea treatment. Heartworm, yes. Fleas, no. We've never had a problem with fleas here. But the heartworm is a pill, obviously, not anything on his fur. But I won't push it. She's slowly getting more acclimated. What I'm worried about right now is her darting into the basement, getting spooked, and not coming out for a couple of days. There's nothing that can hurt her down there, no chemicals or anything like that, but lots of dark places to hide. If she ventures down there, I don't think I'll see her for a couple of days. So I'm really reluctant to let her explore TOO much before she's totally comfortable with the idea of living with Tyler.

But, she's seemed pretty calm today. She was very excited about the squirrel in the tree outside the window. As for me... well, I'll be alright. Today's been hard, but not as hard as yesterday. Tomorrow will be easier. So will the day after that. One foot in front of the other...

[slvrwhispr]

As an added bonus, a few minutes ago, I opened the bedroom door. Mom held Tyler by the leash at the doorway, I told him to sit, and he sat pretty like my good boy does. Izzy was sitting on the corner of my bed, so they were maybe four feet apart. She hissed a little at first seeing him there, but I soothed her, and she calmed down, enough to inch her way toward Tyler to give him a curious sniff. They were still about four feet apart, but then she flopped over and layed down! Tyler was sitting a couple of feet away, and she layed down and let me rub her belly! So that's DEFINITE progress. Still taking it slow, but signs like that are soooo encouraging.

[Tina B and crew]

Yay!! That's great silvr!! I'm sure they will become best buds after a while

[slvrwhispr]

I sure hope so. They'll both benefit from a playmate. Just gotta keep making sure the intros are happy and calm. So far, so good!

[Traci]

HA! Just when you think you know her! Do continue to supervise though, she may have felt comfortable enough since you were right there beside her. Hang in there!

[slvrwhispr]

I've got the bedroom door open today. When Tyler's in the house, Izzy won't go past the hallway. She ducks back into the bedroom if Tyler comes that way, but she isn't freaking out. She just hops up on the bed and watches him. My bedroom has hardwood floors, and Tyler utterly refuses to walk on anything that isn't carpeted and always has been that way. In fact, to date, he's NEVER been in my bedroom... LOL. But when I let Tyler outside, she's exploring the rest of the house (it's not terribly big). She even went down into the basement, which was what I was afraid of, but she investigated for a few minutes and came back up. So I guess I don't have to worry about her hiding down there and never coming back upstairs.

She's back in the bedroom, which I think she sees as her safe place now. Tyler's back inside, but she didn't immediately run when she saw him! She backed up and put a box between her and him, but she didn't hide. I'm so encouraged by this. Now if my allergies would re-acclimate to Tyler, I'd be doing much much better... argh.

[slvrwhispr]

Well, it's certainly been an interesting couple of weeks! I figured you'd all like an update, so here goes. Izzy and Tyler are dealing with each other well enough. Tyler wants so badly to make a new friend, and Izzy wants little to nothing to do with Tyler, but as long as he's not too excited (which he isn't often), she tolerates him. What I think is funny is that he doesn't get the message when she hisses at him to tell him to stay out of her space. He just keeps sniffing at her, tongue hanging out in a doggy grin. Silly old boy. She's not swatting with claws out, though, so I think she's less frightened and more annoyed.

However, they have been napping in the same space. Tyler will be laying on the couch at one end, Izzy will be curled up on the top of the couch at the other end. It'll still be some more time before they're best friends, but. They don't despise each other, which is all I can ask for.

The thing that's weird is that she went from being a relatively independent cat to being stuck to my side like velcro. Only when I'm resting, but. She's never done that before. She actually curled up in my arms this morning, IN my arms, right under my chin. Even let me put my other arm around her. Had her held tight, and we slept like that for the last few hours of the morning. I guess I'm the only familiar thing she has, so she's clinging to me. She's eating fine, using the litterbox fine, and playing a lot, so I'm certain she's not sick. Just... adjusting, I guess. She's been my little cuddlebug, and I have to say, I rather like it.

Other than that... I'm about half unpacked. I'm happy to be home, and... yeah, things are good.

[Traci]

That's wonderful news, slvrwhispr!!

[slvrwhispr]

It's a camera phone picture, so not that great, but it was all I had within reach when these two curled up beside me. Aren't my furbabies precious?