OMIGOD! My kitty, Hallee, grew a pair and came face to face with her nemesis - my chow/border collie dog, Shadow. Let me give you a little background...
I got Hallee the day my ex-husband moved out. He hated cats and I'd always wanted one. She was a gorgeous black kitten. Hallee is short for Halloween (and one of my favorite actresses, Hallee Berry). My sons, Justin and Chase loved her. Chase hates it when I remind him he proclaimed himself "King of the Kitties" but I'm his mom and that's my job.
Our Springer Spaniel, Riley, didn't think too much of her. In fact, he wanted to attack her, but I exerted my alpha dog moves on him and he relented quickly. She started snuggling with Riley who looked up at me with that see-what-you've-reduced-me-to face.
Riley passed on in 2003. Still miss him. I cried for 4 months and told my hubby, John I "needed" a dog. So he went on a hunt for the perfect dog. And he found Shadow.
So we adopted him from a family in Lancaster who couldn't keep him. He's a bundle of energy and they ran a daycare from their home. Toddler's parents just didn't appreciate Shadow's enthusiastic behavior. (He's a very excitable pooch.) He didn't get his name because he's black as most people think, but because he clings to the side of his owner like a shadow. Must be the chow in him - I hear they are one-owner dogs.
Before we got him, he had never been in a car before or seen a squirrel. He's a chaser and when he met Hallee that's exactly what he wanted to do. He actually caught her by the neck and that's when we realized they would have to be separated.
This sounds awful but I kept her in my master bedroom for several years. At least she's safe I figured. And I'd pop in several times a day for a visit and brush her. She seemed happy enough...Then she wasn't.
I began an insane travel schedule to speak at events (and attend them as well). Whenever I was home, she'd meow at me like crazy in the mornings. My great friend, Ali Brown offered to give her a home with her other ancient cat, Francine. Hmm. The cats didn't get along and soon Hallee was soiling Ali's white eyelet bedspread. I came to take her back home.
She liked being back with me, but she didn't like being back in the bedroom. The frantic morning meows started again. Then she peed on my bed. Oooh that pissed me off. Pissed off John too (she did it on HIS side). So she got moved to the patio outside my office.
One of my friends is an animal communicator. You may actually know her but I can't tell you her name - it's just a gift she's had since she was a little girl and doesn't want it to be her profession. Anyhoo, she talked to Hallee who had some messages for me. (Uh oh).
One thing was that Hallee wanted to be around me more. That's what all the meowing was about. She peed on my bed because she couldn't get my attention any other way. (I have to admit, it DID work). Also she is afraid of Shadow cuz he hurt her neck one time. (Freaky my friend knew that.) And would I let her use her claws to defend against Shadow? I relayed back, "Absolutely." So Hallee felt much better. She likes the patio because she can see me and she can be outside (even though it's covered). Well, compromise reached! I thought we were all happy.
Then SHE decided recently she wanted more. She started hanging out by the glass door meowing for me and hissing at Shadow. Good grief, will it ever end with that cat?
So I opened the glass but closed the screen door, which is torn around the edges. And suddenly, viola, she pokes her head thru. Shadow was 3 feet away but she sauntered on past. Luckily I was there and sat between them. So maybe we will have peace after all!
