Hi Tak!  I just want you to know that I ventured here for the first time in
many many months and was THRILLED since this is another not-so-great time
in my life and first thing I get to see your posts about visiting the
shelter and then... OMG getting kitties!  I can't tell you how much this
meant to me.  Really has cheered me right now.

Now, this part, I don't know how the other folks here will take it.  

In reality, sometimes some animals don't get along just like some folks
don't get along. (sh)it happens. I had a puppy raised with my older
cat...and that dog, she grew up loving cats, didn't chase or anthing like
that.  But only quiet older kitties she could, well, herd. Interact with
only when she wanted to. Sort of :) And were, well, kitties that were
quiet.  Sedate.  You catch my drift?

When my old Shadow kitty passed away I get a new very very (too tiny but
this was a barn kitten that they would have drowned) and brought her home.
A very nice kitten who wasn't scared of big animals (raised for like 4-5
weeks there with cows, horses and big dogs).  She wasn't scared of the dog,
she wanted to play and she loved to snuggle with the dog when dog was
sleeping.  My doggy was then getting older and well, didn't want a kitten
messing with her.  She snapped at kitten a lot.  And eventually I had to
bring the kitten back.  Because that kitten was going to get hurt messing
with a 70 pound dog that didn't want to play or snuggle except on her
terms.

I spent several weeks, separating, isolating, etc.  But sometimes, hey, you
have to make a logical choice.  Don't give up yet!!!! I absolutely totally
understand that right now you are torn and EXHAUSTED probably.  Keep at it.
But don't be afraid of making a choice if you have to.  I realize my case
was cross-species but our furry friends are living breathing sentient
beings like us and have the same pecularities.  That is just the way it is.

Keep working at.  And I will back you up 100% if you need moral support to
make a hard decision.  Or to just keep supporting you to keep working at
make this work.  Did that make sense?  God bless, Tak.  Whatever way this
goes, I am behind you.

I never have forgotten that little cinder morsel of kitten.  She wouldn't
sleep with me, she wanted to sleep with the dog for goodness sake. But the
dog just didn't want to be bothered by her, gates, doors, etc. there was no
barrier to big for that kitty.  I couldn't keep that kitten away from the
dog.  There are personality clashes and don't you be afraid to handle this
as you see fit (but do give it some time, though yeah, I bet you are
exhausted from it all, I know I was)

Sue