This is so sad for Spike.

Well, putting a price on her cat is a good thing cause it shows she at least wants him to go to a good home since people looking for pets for horrible purpose will take free ones before paying for one. I hope she will screen any potential new owners to make sure he will go to a loving home and not be abused.

I totally agree! It's not fair to the animal to give it up after it's bonded with the owner. I can see if there was no other way but there is in this case.

A year or so ago, a friend of the family bought me a $500 AKC teacup chihuahua. It was adorable but didn't get along with our cat Morgana. Although the puppy was cute, Morgana was here first and I wasn't about to boot her out b/c of a new pet. I thanked him for the puppy but told him it wasn't working out. He found the puppy a very nice home and Morgana was happy again. You know, the cat your talking about is reacting to this puppy like this out of jealousy...he's afraid this puppy is going to take his attention away that he gets from his owners...AND HE'S RIGHT...they are doing just what the cat feared. They should ask themselves this...if these were children (and our pets sometimes seem like that) would they kick the older child out b/c it couldn't deal with the new child?? Something for them to think about. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]

I hope so do...I feel so bad for the poor cat. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]

This lady never responded back to my last reply so I'm hoping it hit home and she gives Spike and the puppy time to get used to each other. This is in Kankakee,IL, a city about 15 miles west of me.

I told her that Spike and the new puppy can co-exist if given time to adjust. I'm wondering if she will respond back and if so, will be nasty about it. Broke my heart reading this.

I work at a veterinary clinic, and it makes me cringe when people bring their kids in and just let the kids torment the pets. I am a firm believer in teaching kids how to properly treat animals. My niece hit my dog once so I hit her in the arm. She kicked the dog and my sister-in-law threatened to kick her in the shins. She never hurt the dog again. I find the lady's response to be idiotic. She obviously doesn't know her cat well to think that it will want to be around a two-year-old that pulls hair all the time. I know my cat doesn't. Props to you, for putting her in her place!

You are so right, my friend. My Simba likes to do that to poor Domingo as well from above. Poor dog would be walking by the couch or desk and Simba would be in pounce position just watching and waiting till Domingo was right where he wanted him then out came the paws to wrap around poor Domingo's nose or a paw would snake out to smack his ear and make him jump out of his skin. lol All in fun, though. Domingo and Simba love playing with each other. Tigger likes to rub up against Domingo and Domino will slobber all over Tigger. Bear is the only grumpy one who only loves our daughter. I hope that lady will take my advice and let them work it out on their own. Best for all involved really.

Your right, there are valid reasons to have to give a pet up but the reason this lady is giving isn't close to being valid. I bet if that puppy doesn't behave on it's own w/o training, they will give him/her up as well. The dog I have now had no manners what-so-ever when we first got him cept abuse but now he is totally different with training and lots of love/patience.

She replied to my email to her and from my understanding, she also has a 2yr old son and the cat is staying away from him and being territorial. At that age, I would stay away from her son as well if I was a cat or a dog being 2yr olds can be downright mean to an animal if they aren't taught to be nice. I remember teaching my daughter at that age that cats and dogs are not toys and to be nice to them at all times. I'm still after her when I catch her yelling at them for no solid reason. Her reply leads me to believe she has other cats as well so she's not just a dog person.

Most cats and dogs will adapt and even become best buds if given the chance. It sounds like this lady sees her cat isn't happy so wants to give him up instead of giving them both a chance to get to know each other. I have a large dog and 3 cats. The oldest is always fussing at the 2 younger ones but nothing major. I've even seen them interact nicely when they thought I wasn't watching. My dog loves playing with the cats by chasing them and then act like he can't find them until one of them whacks him on the head from above. lol If they aren't quick enough, they end up getting a face washing from him.

I feel the same way, sudalunts. She sounds like a lady who thinks of her animals as disposable things to get rid of once she tires of them.

She never said how long they had the puppy. I've had cats and dogs together for 20yrs. and other than normal issues between them, I've had no problems. Right now, my daughter's cat who is going on 9yrs old still growls and hisses at the 2 younger ones almost 2yrs later but that's all she does. They don't help matters by tormenting her when they get bored either. And my dog? He and the youngest cat have just recently discovered that they love tormenting each other and drive us nuts doing that. lol After my last reply to her, I haven't heard back from her and probably won't. Only thing I can say that's good about this whole thing is that she did put a price on her cat. We have been having problems with people taking in free animals letting the owners think they are going to a good home and then throwing them in the ring as bait for the fighting dogs. The newspapers and news are saying to please put a value on your pet's life if you must give it up because then they have a better chance of not being mistreated in that way. The jerks fighting their dogs are getting sneakier and sneakier in my county cause it's taking animal control and the police a lot longer to find and bust them.

I've never heard back from the lady after my last reply so hoping she reconsiders. They'll get along with time and patience.