GMTA - see my post. :)

Joyce

I totally get where you're coming from. :0)

However, the aim of today was not to start introductions, but *PURELY*
to guage Clara's reactions to cats to check she was not "cat
agressive". The Dogs Trust had never tried her out with a cat and
although they thought she would be OK they had never seen her behave
in a cats company. HRFL Tiger is very mellow about dogs having had one
for the last few years, and also he does not get particularly stressed
in new environments (Including the vets!!) so I figured that he was
the best one to take up to "cat test" Clara and indeed, he appeared to
actually enjoy the outing because he was so relaxed and was rolling
around on his back in his carrier purring and letting Rachel the
behaviourist stroke him in front of the dog!. (Go figure!).

Now I have seen for my own eyes that Claras first instinct is not to
chase and eat pussy cats, but to look away and stay calm and relaxed
and more interested in cuddles from humans, it means that I have a
chance of integrating her into the home after a series of *VERY*
careful introductions. :)   Clara will initally be confined to the
kitchen with the use of a child gate. The cats will be able to come
and go through the childgate bars at their own whim, whilst clara will
not be able to chase them. It took 6 weeks using the same procedure to
introduce my brothers dog Shadow, who is a 70lb black lab, but
eventually everyone rubbed along happliy. I'm hoping that this will go
the same way. :)

Helen M