Here Comes the Cat

The date was June 24, 2008. Our family would change that day. We would begin a journey into a new realm of existence. We stepped forward with apprehension, curiosity and courage.

June 24, 2008 was the day we brought Cookie home from the Gloucester County Animal Shelter. We had become cat owners. As I later discovered, we had actually become cat staff.

Our experience began when the shelter staff placed Cookie into a cardboard cat carrier for the ride home. I carefully placed the carrier on the front seat of my truck (yes, I drive a pick-up) and fastened the seat belt. I began the five mile drive home and it started as soon as I left the driveway of the shelter. The ride can be summarized with one word: meow. Cookie was making her feeling known for the entire ride.

I finally arrived home and carried the box into Kimberly’s room. As soon as I Kim opened the carrier, Cookie’s head popped up like a Jack-in-the-box. She looked around with a surprised look on her face as if the say “ where am I”.

Cookie jumped from the carrier and immediately began to explore the room. She did not seem frightened at all. Kim and her friend were watching a television program and Cookie sat in Kim’s lap and fell asleep.

As all this was happening, the dogs were outside. Once the cat seemed settled, I let them into the house. I had placed the carrier in the kitchen so they can become familiar with the scent of the cat and accept her into the pack. This is something dogs do when a new member arrives. I am still on their probationary acceptance list even though I adopted them. I am still trying to figure that one out.

After about one hour, the cat seemed to be resting well and we decided to let Cookie meet Shelly. The serenity would soon be over. We let Shelly into Kim’s bedroom and the dog was naturally curious about the cat. Shelly was not barking and approached Cookie. Immediately, Cookie arched her back and hissed loudly, her mouth wide open. Shelly has a great disposition and just looked surprised. The phrase supervised interactions immediately came to mind.

The next day Joey followed me in to Kim’s room and walked towards the cat. Cookie again arched her back and hissed loudly. Joe was surprised and ran (well actually walked very fast) behind me. He looked back at the cat. Being an old hunting dog, getting scared by a cat is especially embarrassing for Joey. I imagine he thought “I never seen a rabbit do that.”

Over the next few weeks, Cookie gradually grew comfortable with the dogs. I even have a photograph of Cookie and Joey lying together in the sun on the living room floor. An old hunting Beagle and a cat stretched out on the floor, lying back to back. Cookie has either finally felt comfortable with the dogs or was planning a hostile takeover of the house.

Only time would tell.