We have a match!

[GreenieGables]

Or possibly two!

I posted 3/4 weeks ago about finding a breeder for a puppy, but then some very lovely ladies guided me in the direction of greyhounds and I fell in love.

But we have a cat, I think I have spoken to every place within a decent radius, some have been more helpful than others.

Yesterday I spoke to a lovely lady and we're going to view two on Friday. Chances are we will take one and I'm so excited I'm giving myself a headache .

So, what do I need? They're both female so neither will be massive. We're going to get a crate, do you think an XL will be the right size? She will come with muzzle, collar and lead so no need to buy them.

What about food bowls? Which are best? Beds? Which are the comfiest? Do I need a kong type toy? I'm not sure on her diet yet, but if it's kibble which is the best to go for? I'd prefer raw but I'll carry on with whatever she's on now and suits her.

Eek, one very excited household here

[Bambinho]

Oh yes, I agree with the above post. However well the cat and dog are getting on I would never take a chance and leave them alone together. Dog gets locked in a room with water and his bed (no hardship to a greyhound) and cat gets free run of the rest of the house.

[pugsake]

Greenie my mam has four cats. It's a bull greyhound and a lurcher she has. Both ex-workers (lamping not racing) dogs have never bothered them, the cats were there first.

[GreenieGables]

Floral that sounds very traumatic, how awful. I would always be over cautious and would never ever leave them alone together. I'm very much a worrier, nothing is worth the risk.

My cat would always have the freerun, dog would be shut in the living room.

And thank you Bambinho, that's good to know.

Pug that's impressive, I'm hoping my cat mans up a bit and shows the dog whose boss and who was there first. He seems to just run though after some growling and hissing.

[WonderOnTheUp]

Hi, just wanted to reassure you about your cat. When our lurcher (first dog they had met inside) moved in my most timid cat moved out for the first few days. I was pretty distraught, it did take a long time (months not weeks) for her to be comfortable but bit by bit she got there and they are friends and even sleep together sometimes! I put food outside for her to eat so she still came home (albeit not inside!) for food. After a few weeks she would come in as far as the windowsill and things moved on from there. I had a stairgate up so the kitchen was a dog free zone which seemed to help. Good luck and enjoy your new dog!

[Floralnomad]

The family involved rehomed the dog but the cat was lucky to survive , I have a patterdale X and his ambition is to eat a cat , although I do think he's going a bit soft as he gets older as he spent most of yesterday walking round the house very gently carrying a go go hamster .

[MaryMarigold]

We have two older cats and a rescue terrier cross. The cats were here first.

The cats don't particularly like the dog and there is no cosying up on the rug etc. To date the dog just seems a bit over enthusiastic around the cats (and mildly scared of the smallest one) but I don't 100% trust him just as a result of his breed.

We have a baby gate on the stairs so that upstairs is the cats' safe space. The cats and the dog are never left alone together - when we are out the dog is either baby gated in the kitchen or the cats are out. It's not ideal but it works fine. Unless the dog is properly aggressive with cats I think it's manageable.

[GreenieGables]

Thank you all again for your reassurance. This thread has definitely helped me through the last few days, and hopefully will help lamb out as well.

Cat is getting a bit braver and creeps down the stairs, then shoots back up again.

Loving the go go hamster carrying dog

We discovered today she doesn't like motorbikes or workman drills Lept in the air when a motorbike zoomed past and then kept very close to my side for the rest of the walk, she was pretty much leaning on me and walking at one point. I'm hoping that means she trusts me and knows me. She's really starting to respond now to her name and a few other commands. Loving her

[pugsake]

Pleased she's settled greenie you sound like your doing a fab job with her.

[luckylambchop]

It's definitely helping me too, Greenie, thank you! Sounds like it's all going well. Brilliant!

[GreenieGables]

Thanks all.

We had our first proper dog/cat encounter this morning where the dog wasn't in the crate. Cat was sat by the front door and dog walked out the living (held by DH and muzzled). Can anyone guess who was more scared . Cat scarpered upstairs and dog was very alert and looking around but then ran back to the living room. Phew! Baby steps.

Today she's going for a social at my friends farm to meet her dogs. She'll stay muzzled and on the lead but I want her to be able to sniff around the other dogs without worrying about what the owners think. I know these dogs well and they won't actually be interested in her at all, but I want her to socialise properly and realise other dogs are ok!