Dog lovers out there? Can you give me a hand?
 

Hey guys. Right now I have 2 cats (more like 5month old kittens).
Ive always been a dog person really but these cats have been great..almost mini-dogs even.. great awsome cats!

I have the chance to get a Golden retriever now (or else they will be put down) having wanted a dog for a long time it'd be great, but I want to make sure I know what Im getting into with out hurting my little kitties feelings.

Anyone have the cat/dog combo? Pros / Cons? Suggestions even.. not sure what to do.

Here in case these might 'sway' you.
Here are the doggies...
http://www.geocities.com/jj_stokes.g...s/dawgies1.jpg http://www.geocities.com/jj_stokes.g...s/dawgies2.jpg
& these are (were they're a bit bigger now)
Max
http://www.geocities.com/jj_stokes.geo/photos/max.jpg
Spanky
http://www.geocities.com/jj_stokes.g...tos/spanky.jpg

Haha, spanky :)

Cool name. Would of posted advice but I don't have any.

I had a combo like that once. the dog carried the cat everywhere.

I have a cat and a dog. You need to test the dog to be sure its cat safe.
Put them in the same room for a minute and see how they react. Of course the cat will usualy be scarred and hide but you have to make sure the dog doesn't attack the cat.
The cat will usualy learn not to be sure afraid of the dog.
My cat and dog sleep in the same bed and they cuddle up together.

My dogs idea of playing with the cat is chasing her around the house trying to scare her, lol. I don't think she likes it much. But he would never hurt her.

If you are getting a puppy, there shouldn't be much of a problem since they are growing up together. Why will the puppies be put down? I'm sure there's no shortage of people looking for Retriever puppies.

Give it a shot... Neither one of the animals is big enough to do much damage to the other.

saw the question and i can't resist any topic about pets.....i have 3 dogs, 4 cats, and one gerbil......all my cats (2 of them are 6 months old) have been raised since kittenhood with the dogs....the cats are indoor only, and the dogs are mostly indoors, going out to play......i really think that your kitties would do fine with the introduction of a new puppy.....you will have a few swatting and hissing episodes, but since your kittens are very young, the adjustment should be quick and, mostly, painless.....every animal has to go thru that new pet adjustment phase...it's a part of getting a new pet.......some ppl get freaked out by the drama of getting a new addition, but it does get better -- it will calm down! now, all of my dogs and cats absolutely LOVE each other....and since my kitties were all raised with dogs, they are more like dogs.....i personally think that a cat raised with dogs is a better cat.......sorry to spill the guts, but i love animals....in a former life, i worked with them.....behavioral stuff/training/health/etc........so ask away! i have a lot of training in the subject! love ya! candi

Thanks for the replies guys.
The owner cant keep them all & apparently they would be kept for 4 weeks & then put down at the shelter they use. I dont understand it much myself which why Id consider, I mean at a shop a retriever would be a fortune. This one I would just need to handle its shots & neuter it.

My cats are really affectionate (I lucked out there cuz I didn't want any of those snobby bastid cats) so I want to make sure they'd be ok.

I guess I would have to just say yes & test them out. If they dont get along then I would have to find a new owner. Cuz if I brought my cats to the owners place to check them out together the cats would be out of it anyways since its a new place etc...

Awww those puppies look adorable, i'm sure you won't have a problem with them. I wanted to get one but for now i have enough with keith, hahaha j/k

the puppy and the kittens will get along famously at this age. We have a dog and 2 cats :thumbsup

before my labrador retriever died, my cat used to sleep (can't remember the exact english word) "side by side", just like those puppies are. In the cold nights the dog would let the cat sleep there...I really don't know how to paint this picture better....

Labradors/Golden retrievers have the most wonderfull character...You have nothing to be afraid off, IMHO :)

omg! those were so adorable! i'm a doggie person too...like to take care of the dogs rather thatn cats...those pupies are sooooo cute!!!

Candi, thanks a bunch.
I love dogs wanted one for a long time (put my old dog down a few years back, Tony was a cute bulldog) but between work, I coach & play sports I was never home enough. Im home more regularly now I have the yard etc... & if anything came up my brothers could always look after them, then when I got that email, I mean look at those pups how could you not want one!?! & they have 7 & will be putting them all away or down if they dont get taken.
Real shame, but good chance for me at the same time, just my two little guys totally turned my thoughts on cats & i was pretty sure they would go weel with a dog, but wanted to know/hear any other stories from first hand.

What about the 'chewing phase' the dog wont chew on my cats though? I know retrievers are smart enough to be trained etc.. so they should be smart enough to know when to stop with the cats right?

Jenn> Keith has his place now, get him to get a dog name it JR & then ya you could have 2 to take care of lol.

everyone else thanks for the replies, very comforting cuz it also made me realize, think that if Im thinking this now, down the road when the cats are older I wouldnt be able to get a dog either. Im guessing this is prime for the taking then, everyone is young so they can get along.. my cats are so going to hate me lol. They know they get all the attention now & they'll have to share it, I know Spanky will love it though, someone else getting scolded for eating everything all the time now lol :1orglaugh

those doggies are the cutest thing ever, i wanna dive in and play with them...im not gay

I have a Pit Bull and three cats. The cats chase the dog around the house, he doesn't want any part of them lol.. sometimes they all curl up in a ball together and go to sleep right by my bed.

If the dog's a puppy there won't be any problems, let them work it out on their own. He'll learn early not to hassle them and won't want to do it when he's older either.

I soo know what you mean. I saw the pictures my friend sent me (she sent a few more than those) & sat there staring. Just looking at them, how can you NOT want one, has nothing to do with the gay thing, hell even the cats, I saw those two (& Im not /was not a cat person) until I got those two kitties & with thier personalities.. I think they'd get along with the dog.

Just nervous since I know retrievers need the attention & they have allot of energy.

by the way, the cats are indoor cats too & the dog would be the same 'cept for camping trips & things like that I could take him on that I could take the other kids to ;)

was worried too, because if the dog is fiesty the cats are declawed, mind you they are learning how to use their back paws/claws really well shmucks lol

they will be fine together.
ive had the same situation in the past and it worked out great.

They will be fine together. The cats will let the dog know where his boundaries are concerning the feline portion of the household. Trust me, I have two big dogs and a cat and that cat has more than let the german shepard mix dogs know what for.

Your kitties will be fine.

no problem....always love to help...as for the chewing thing.....some dogs are really good, some dogs are the worst.....just depends on the dog...they all have different personalities, some are just chewers.....lol......but as for me, i would start off with puppy obedience classes....it helps to start early, and then you can move on to regular classes when the pup's older.......also, a good way to curb bad behaviour and aid in potty training is using the crate method....i did it with all my dogs, and it was the best thing i have ever done.....see this site: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/ou..._training.html it has lots of good info......i truly believe in the crate training method.....good luck!!!! love ya! candi :winkwink:

It really shouldn't be a problem. A well socialized animal will soon learn the cat is part of his family, and will be treated as such. He may still chase other cats, though. :) That's always fun. :)

those dogs are adorable!

most ppl i know with cats and dogs have virtually no problems, so I doubt u have anything to worry about

Just make sure the cats get attention. They will easily feel worthless/ignored.

Oh man, those are cute creatures.. you can't just pic those dogs and leave the others behind.. :(

No, I'd go for puppies instead.. :winkwink:

I have a the combo and it was fine, it just depends on how you raise them.

But since your asking you are probably raising them well enough to handle it.

BTW don't shop jcrew they support the Asian company that brutalizes dogs and cats for their fur.

http://www.alop.org/animal-news/news141829.htm