I apologize upfront for what may be a lenghty post.

Cats - 2 females, Hannah and Lydia, litter mates, spayed, 8 yrs. old. They have been the only pets in the house.

My wife and I recently divorced and she was going to take the girls after new carpeting was intstalled in her new home. Then she had to be hospitalized and will probably be in the hospital for 2-3 months. That leaves me with the girls, which is not a problem in itself, because I love them, but I have adopted a Mastiff (cat lover's everywhere please forgive me), since I was going to be without any animals in my life.

Well, the dog will be arriving on 8/26, and the girls are still going to be with me. I'm very concerned about them and want to make the new addition to our family as easy as possible.

I'm setting up the spare bedroom to be their (the girls) room. I bought some toys, window seats, etc., and will be moving their litter boxes (3) up to the room over the next week. This will be their haven and the dog will not be allowed in the room. When I go to work this will be the girls private room. I will also be moving their water and food up to the room since I will have to keep their food separate from the dog's.

When I'm home I can monitor things and all the animals will have free reign of the house, and the dog I'm getting is very laid back with practically no prey drive.

Once my ex-wife is recovered the girls will be moving in with her as planned. I cannot postpone the delivery of the dog since the rescue person only has room to foster so many dogs at one time.

It's a sad situation and a matter of unfortunate timing.

Does anyone have any experience with dogs entering a Maine Coon's home, or have any suggestions for me? I'm open to any and all thoughts or suggestions.

As a last resort I was even considering placing the girls in a foster home (if such a thing exists), but would like to try having all the animals living together.

Hannah is a silver tabby that is doing something new everyday. She is the inquisitive one, and very vocal. Lydia is content to spend her day on a comforter, warming herself by the light on the end table. Hannah likes to be petted when you enter the house, and Lydia will chirp once a day (time not set) to be picked up and petted.

Above all, I really want to make this as easy as I can on the girls.

Thanks, Steve

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2000

Answers

You don't say whether your new dog is a puppy or fully grown. A puppy won't be a problem but a full grown dog could very well be if it has learned to chase cats. My two cats became used to dogs easily but the dog had to learn not to chase cats first. Also, I used a children's gate to stretch across the door so that the cats could get through the openings and the dog couldn't reach them, just see them and their food and water through the gate. Mind you, a mastiff is about four times larger than my Springer Spaniel and a child's gate won't hold a dog of that size back if it is determined, but a dog can learn that it is a barrier he must not cross or destroy. My Maine Coons learned to accept my dog and eventually considered her just a part of very inconvenient furniture even though my dog always wanted to play.

I realize this is not much practical advice but I think it could be done with LOTS of supervision. Surely there are people out there who can help you. A full-grown cat-chasing dog of Mastiff size (the only one I've seen up close was as big as a horse) and two Maine Coon cats sounds like a recipe for disaster unless your dog really is as laid back as you say. I can't wait to read other answers. One hint: they'll all have to sniff each other a very long time through a closed door, then trade places just as you would to introduce a new cat to your resident two. It may very well take as long as it will take your ex-wife to recover in the hospital. Good luck

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2000