Life With A Bitch and Two Pussies

I've always dreamed it would happen, but never thought it possible in a tiny NYC apartment. Then I decided to take the plunge. And now I live in a harmonious union with a bitch and two pussies. That is, Ruby, a scrappy black terrier mutt I adopted from the ASPCA, and two feisty, inseparable felines, Sammy and Oscar, who I adopted together six years ago from Kitty Kind in Union Square. Surprisingly, it's working just swell. Oh, there's George, too. He's a large (and VERY tidy) creature of the two-legged kind. We live in a "Jr. One-Bedroom," off Washington Square Park, which makes life at home a bit trying, albeit surprisingly cozy. Of course, there was major trepidation. In fact, I drove ASPCA behaviorist, Trish, crazy with my doubts over whether a rambunctious former stray dog who, at the time, was unspayed and still lactating after giving birth to a litter of three puppies, could possibly get along swimmingly with two spoiled cats in a postage-stamp apartment intended for one. While it took some work and trickery to quell the jealousy and territorial disputes, after only a few weeks with Ruby in the mix, each was able to stake claim to their own little safe-havens. Today, Oscar, a hefty Zen-buddha of a tabby, can often be found taking refuge in a box in the closet, beneath the bed, on the tip of the couch or in the crook of my legs. Ruby, not allowed on the bed, loves hanging in her crate, on the opposite corner of the couch from Oscar, or in the dark oasis beneath my grandfather's mid-century modern desk. Lately she's been found chewing on the plethora of dusty and long-forgotten cat toys scattered in the dark, dusty crevice beneath the couch. Sammy, an agile tuxedo cat that fetches knobby balls and and pokes to wake you up at the exact time you set in your mental clock, well, he rules the roost. He sleeps anywhere he damn well pleases: the table, the couch, the bed, my chest, above the armoire, or the pricey Lotus cat tree that takes up a good bit of real estate in the made-for-one pad.

Still, cats and dogs don't always get along. Felines are territorial creatures that generally don't like to share their space with dogs that smell, well, like a dog. And dogs, mostly those with high prey drives, will chase the cat, sniff their butts, or growl and snarl. A cat that confuses playing for with attacking may go on the defensive. If so, voila, a swipe of the razor sharp claw can take a dog's eye out. And, of course, a pissed off cat can start to mark, a truly tres unpleasant experience that few can live with.

Despite being a lifelong dog-person, until I discovered the beauty of the feline, I was definitely of the camp that I "couldn't have a dog because I had cats." Still, it can happen. And it doesn't require much space. And, if I can do it, anyone can.

This is the reason why every animal lover should try it: Millions of cats sit lonely and anxious in shelters today because people who have a dog think they can't have a cat. Half of them will be euthanized simply because there is no space. In NYC shelters alone, nearly half of the 40,000 cats and dogs that land in the city shelter are euthanized.

It doesn't have to be. A few tricks can help ensure success in integrating cats and dogs. Have the shelter "cat-test" the dog. Get the dog to love the crate; if you create a positive place for the dog, she will be happy to hang out there all day long. Have spaces for cats to climb and escape. I spent more for my Lotus cat tree than I did on any other furniture in the apartment. But it was well worth it.

So, the moral of the story is if you have a dog, you CAN go out and adopt a cat. And vica versa. You will help save a life and you will be forever entertained. At least it's something to think about.