My cat doesn't like the dog (understatement)

[RaisingSteam]

After many years of cat ownership, last summer we got a Border Collie puppy. (DH has been waiting for years to have a dog). We have just the one elderly cat now, a Burmese, about 16, and unsurprisingly she took a very dim view of the dog and has basically retired to live permanently upstairs. It's not really interrupted her lifestyle of snoozing in the sun all day and on the bed all night, but I really miss having a cat "around" as she had previously been very much a lap sitter.

We've made a couple of attempts at introductions but she's just frozen with terror and/or disgust at the dog and I really think she is too old.

When she eventually passes away I'd love another cat or two - I know some people have dogs and cats that happily co-exist. Would I be better with a kitten or a rescue cat? Is there an ideal age for the dog, given he's 8 months old now? Has anyone managed it and how?

I had Border Collies and cats (mainly Siamese) for years without great incident. I think that the cats have generally regarded the collies as great bumptious lumps and mostly just kept out of their way - and at only 8 months old, they're still bouncing off walls and trying to herd stray leaves in the garden so I could see the cats' point.

I'd just leave her to it - but make sure that the collie has continuous sufficient exercise - and hope that things will improve a little.

As to a future cat? I've had both kittens and new mature cats to introduce to collies and both worked well once the dog had got a little age on it.

How about a rescue that is used to be around dogs?

OK, he's shaping up all right, not as bouncy as some, but the cat just looks at him like poison! It's encouraging to hear thanks.

Maybe with 9yo and 10yo DS's she thinks there are now too many great bumptious lumps in the house.

The dog's sitting under my feet now very loyally but he's Still Not My Cat.

That should be absolutely fine. Most collies like cats very much and when a new cat arrives, will cede seniority and accept their new place at bottom of the heap. (It helps if they still get 'private/working' time with the humans out on the moors or suchlike.)

at herding stray leaves.

Must round them up into a neat pile.