I am thinking of getting a Maine Coon kitten, but I am concerned because I have a hyper, 3 year old black lab. Will they get along? How can I introduce them?

-- Anonymous, February 28, 1999

Answers

We have a hyper 5 year old Scottish Terrier, but when we introduced him to Brutus, my handsome boy, there were no problems. Brutus took the introduction very calmly, and when Missy (the dog) got too close, Brutus just calmly swiped her across the nose. Now, Brutus is almost a year old, and the two of them tussle across the living room carpet, and Brutus usually wins by calmly chewing on Missy's ears, whilst up on his hind legs like a meercat or a gopher! He also uses Missy's back as a springboard to jump on the couch. I think that you will find that the cat's presence may actually have a beneficial effect on your dog. Having a companion will probably do the dog good, and give the cat a pet to torment!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 1999

JUST THIS WEEKEND, I ADOPTED A 8YR/OLD FEMALE COON FROM THE LOCAL SHELTER. SHE MET MY SOMEWHAT HYPER 2 1/2 YR OLD MALE BLACK LAB TODAY. EVEN THOUGH UNFORTUNATELY THE COON WAS DECLAWED, SHE HELD HER GROUND AND THE MAX THE LAB CLEARLY KNOWS HE HAS A CHALLENGE AHEAD OF HIM. MY LAB GETS ALONG GREAT WITH MY 17 YR OLD HOUSECAT, AND ONLY WANTS SOMEONE TO PLAY WITH. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT IT'S EASIER TO INTRODUCE A KITTEN OR PUPPY TO OLDER ANIMALS, THAN MATURE ADULTS. HOWEVER I'M SURE WITH TIME, EVERYONE WILL GET ALONG. I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 1999

Our Maine Coon arrived in the household of a 10 year old Cocker Spaniel. Willy (the cat) took immediately to Gretchen (the dog). He goes so far as to "mimic" the dog, i.e., beg for food at the table; hangs out in the kitchen "shoulder to shoulder" with the dog -- both waiting to see what is dropped on the floor (to watch them, you'd think we had the sloppiest kitchen anywhere!) -- and the cat follows the dog through a hole dug under the fence by the dog. The two are "absolute pals!"

-- Anonymous, July 24, 1999