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PAWThe Newsletter of the PartnershipShakes for Animal Welfare . Spring 2021 PO Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768 . www.paw-rescue.org Cats & dogs: patience, baby gates— and treats! By Joanne Goldman ’ve had cats since I was 10 years old. I had always wanted a dog but Icould never have one because we lived in an apartment, and I felt it was important for a dog to have a backyard to run in. In 1998, after two of our cats had passed away and we only had one, my family decided it was finally time to adopt a dog. And at this time, we lived in a single-family home with a great fenced yard. In our search for a dog, the first ques- Molly G and Alex Cross tion we would always ask was “Is the dog cat friendly?“ We were not looking up. We probably left the gate up longer for a specific type of dog. We simply than we had to, but we wanted to be wanted a dog who would like our cat. sure that everything would be okay. After searching, my family found a Once we took the gate down, Skittles PAW dog named Star, whom we fell in and Star lived in peace—together. love with. She was a one-and-a-half-year- Once we gained our confidence, we old collie mix. She was the sweetest dog decided to adopt another cat. Of course, we had ever met. The only “problem” we then had the dual challenge of intro- was that we did not know if she was cat ducing Skittles to a new cat and to Star. friendly. All we knew was that she was Again we used a baby gate but Lucky, given up by her previous family. We our new cat, wanted nothing to do with were lucky to be approved for adoption it. She was fearless! Star welcomed her Lucky and Forrest Gump by PAW and we brought Star home. with open arms. Unfortunately, Star After doing some research, we did not care for other dogs. So, after we Angel the cat. Once again, the baby decided that the baby gate approach had Lucky for a while, we decided to gate went up, and as quickly as it went was the one to go with. We set up a adopt another cat. Along came Clancy. up, it came down. gate at the top of the stairs so that our The baby gate went up again, and After adopting Angel, we fostered cat, Skittles, would feel secure, while this time, it came down quite quickly. many cats and kittens. Each, of course, giving her and Star the chance to meet Clancy was a bit apprehensive, but had a unique personality. We were safely. It worked! In addition to using Star’s gentle demeanor gave him confident of Star’s cat friendliness at this the gate, we always rewarded Star with confidence and they soon became best point. So, depending on the cat or kit- a small treat when she and Skittles met friends. Next in line for adoption was ten, we would weigh the need for a bar- Spring 2021 . Partnership for Animal Welfare 1 Above—Anarchy! Clockwise, from lower left: Bentley, Alex, Clancy, Angel, Forrest Left—Goldman Bistro, clockwise from left: Forrest, Steffi, Lucky, Clancy, Molly, Alex, Angel rier. With some cats we did and with Many years went by, and Star cats. To this day, he is not always on his others we did not. Of course, along passed away. It was much too quiet best behavior with them. However, he with the gates, we needed lots and lots in the house without a dog. Over the is easily distracted and always rewarded of patience for both cats and dogs. Alex next years, we adopted four more for good behavior with treats. If you Cross was our last foster. Alex was a dogs: Bentley, Forrest Gump, Steffi, have never had a dog before but would feral kitten and was afraid of his own and Molly. We did know that three of love to adopt one and you do have cats, shadow. The baby gates went up and them were cat friendly, so introduc- the easiest route to take, of course, is to they stayed up a little while longer, until tions were much easier. But, just to be get a cat friendly dog. Still, my advice Alex gained his confidence—not only on the safe side, we used baby gates to is to take a chance, even if you don’t to interact with Star, but to interact ensure the confidence of all. And of know how things will go. Just remem- with the other cats. Because Alex was course, there were always lots of treats ber that you need lots of patience and so shy, it was difficult to introduce him for good behavior. an abundance of treats. A few baby to prospective adopters. We decided to One of the four dogs, Bentley, a little gates will help too! adopt him ourselves. Pomeranian, was a little feisty with the Questions for Rosie By Bob Klein osie, you are being adopted! You have a big Sometimes dogs that best to interact with the Rbasket of toys that you rush to play with. Good paw pulls from shelters or dog, redirecting undesired luck, Rosie. Enjoy your new life. rescues from the streets behaviors toward desired Oh Rosie, what have you done? You lost your new are animals whose spirits or ones, and providing phar- home in just one day because they say that you did bodies have been injured, maceutical assistance. PAW terrible things—they were afraid of you, Rosie. How and we have no history tell- always provides full disclo- can that be? ing us how it happened. In sure when an animal needs Poor girl, Rosie, you are stuck at the kennel. You some cases, we can soothe a “special” person. There cannot be adopted until we understand what hap- the dog ourselves with love, are angels out there who pened, what you did. What did you do, Rosie? You patience, and stability. In have a passion for working other cases, we consult a with fearful animals and need a foster home. board-certified behavior- making them feel safe. Our Okay Rosie, we will foster you. No one else came ist to help us lessen the long-term volunteer Bob forward, or they did but you scared them away before dog’s fear by altering the Klein is one of them. you even made it to their home. Rosie, I’ll foster you surroundings, learning how and get you ready to be adopted so that you’ll have a happy forever life. 2 Partnership for Animal Welfare . Spring 2021 Oh Rosie, were those things they said about you true? You are a great dog and I see no reason why you can- not be adopted and enjoy a life of play and happy leisure. I carefully sifted through many applications—you were very popular—and we found a good fit. You seemed to like the folks and now we think you are permanently situated. Oh Rosie, what have you done? Again. You are back with us? The indictments against you include growling, snarling, baring your teeth, and lunging—luckily, you never completed the apparent attempt at biting your new family. Or is it all a show? Lots of bluster, but you don’t want to hurt anyone. Could that be Rosie and Bob Rosie waits for her special person it, Rosie? Oh Rosie, what are we to do with ior. I think we are coming around Are you worried about being you? You are such a nice dog with together, Rosie. abandoned? You don’t have to worry, us, but when you are adopted by new Rosie, you have been such a good Rosie, I will be with you until we people you do terrible things. Why do girl, what would you think of being find the perfect forever home for you do that, Rosie? adopted again? I think you might be you. That’s what I do. Rosie, you Oh no, Rosie, the whole world has ready for a forever home without us. Is and I are together because, well, shifted. Now you choose to demon- that a good idea, Rosie? that’s what I do. strate your fierceness to us, do you? Out of the blue comes a guttural snarl and the white canines flashing in warning. Warning for what? Membership/Donation Form for Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc. How were you provoked? You PO BOX 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768 • www.paw-rescue.org • 301-572-4PAW went away and hid. Is that shame at your actions or fear of reprisal? PLEASE CHECK AS MANY AS APPLY: Rosie, we won’t hurt you. ❑ Membership: ❑ Single ($25) ❑ Family ($45) ❑ Renewal (Please check here if this is a renewal membership.) Rosie, I cannot figure you out. I ❑ Additional donation: I am enclosing an additional gift of $ _____________. think that you are afraid of some- ❑ I enclose an additional donation in memory of: thing, but I cannot say what. Am I on A person: _________________________________ A pet: _______________________________________ the right track, Rosie? I am familiar ❑ I enclose an additional donation in honor of: with your kind of dog—I can usually A person: _________________________________ A pet: ______________________________________ tell what sets them off, but you are a Total Enclosed: $_______________ mystery that never ceases to puzzle ❑ Volunteer: I am willing to help in the following capacity: __________________________________________ me. I watch you looking at me—do I Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________ puzzle you too, Rosie? Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ Do you think a little medical exper- Phone: _______________________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________ tise will help you, Rosie? The doctor Please make checks payable to the Partnership for Animal Welfare says to take this pill once a day and and mail to the address on this form.

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