By Daniela Caride Publisher
My ginger tabby Crosby is a cat with a dog’s soul.
In the morning, Crosby stands behind my three dogs, Frieda, Geppetto and Lola, when they line up at the kitchen door to go into the backyard.
“Maybe today Mom will let me romp with them,” I imagine him thinking.
Crosby and Lola hanging out together. (Daniela Caride photo)
My dogs accept Crosby as an equal despite his size — 15 pounds of cat against 300 pounds of dogs. They even sniff his little butt when they’re bored as an invitation to play.
My Saint Bernard, Lola, is Crosby’s best friend. The two chase each other constantly, running laps around the kitchen and the living room.
Crosby runs with his tail puffed up to make himself look bigger. Lola chases him, careful not to squish him like a pancake with her gigantic paws.
Every time I get home from my errands, Crosby also acts like a dog. I open the door, and he is sitting there with the dogs, waiting for me. He chirps at me until I look at him and pet him. Maybe, while I’m away, my dogs entertain each other teaching him Dog Manners 101.
In the afternoon, knowing that dog food is on the way, Crosby jumps up on the kitchen counter. First I pour kibble in the dishes, which Crosby nibbles while I retrieve the other ingredients. When I add the canned food, Crosby eats it as fast as he can until he’s so full he has to lean on the toaster.
Fortunately Frieda, Geppetto and Lola don’t mind sharing their food with Crosby. It’s very little to make a difference in their supersized stomachs.
But I’m not sure if this dog thing is good for Crosby. He doesn’t even want to eat his cat food anymore. The funny thing is that cat food is so rich in calories, fats and tasty fishes, my dogs would happily switch dishes with him. There wouldn’t be enough cans to appease my dogs’ hunger, though. And feline food is so rich, the dogs would get fat and lazy — like cats, I suppose — if I fed them cat food.
I’d be happy if my dogs switched the barks for meows. But I’d be in great danger if they decided to hop on my lap like the cats or follow Crosby up on the counter at dinnertime.
Tomorrow I’ll make sure to include Crosby in our dog training sessions and ask for his paw in exchange for a treat.
Adorable!
Thanks!
Wow, can I identify with this! I have three dogs and one cat. The feline acts just like Crosby…
:-)
Megan, aren't they adorable when they act like dogs?
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How do you ever get anything done? I'd be playing with them all the time. Cat actually have a lot of these habits all on their own–my cats have always greeted me at the door and greeted all visitors as well. I've heard dog food isn't high enough in protein for cats, though–that's why dogs usually like cat food better than dog food. And Crosby's name: here in Pittsburgh we have a ton of cats and dogs named "Crosby" for Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins who won the Stanley Cup last year, though that's probably not the inspiration for your Crosby's name!
Dunno, my friend. I control myself a lot not to be with them, playing on the floor all day. Sometimes I get half day off and spend hours throwing toys all over. It's fun!!
Yeah, I'm sure the dog food is not the best option for cats. That's why I'm forcing Crosby to at least eat his dry food! Naughty boy!
:-)
My Siamese cat, Ben, would greet me at the door every evening when I got home. And, being Siamese, he was LOUD. Now I have two cats and two dogs and they all know that treats are not free. They all have to "sit" for a treat. And I've trained one of my cats — another Siamese — to sit up and to shake hands for treats.
Oh, so cute! I should work more on training my cats. I know they can do it.
I had a cat, Gigs, an all black cat, who people said acted like a dog. He was quite friendly. All of my cats are special, and dogs too, each one is different. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the comment, Michele. Send me a picture of Gigs! I'd love to publish a picture in his honor.
Crosby is a very nice guy!!! he seem to be very funny and happy.Lola´s face in this photo is hilarious,
My goddauther Agatha, daughter of Marise, loves to eat cat foof. Marise told me that all of them have their plates of food and she always eat the cat food and not the dog food.
I loved you text today Dani.
I am a little bit out of the net because Global Warming has finally reached Rio de Janeiro and everybody is nearky dying with temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius and with a Thermal Sensation of 50 drgrees Celsius,,,,,
I am full time in fortnt of the air conditioner…rsrsrsrsrsrrs
Hi Marcia! Thanks for your kind words. My mother told me about the heath wave there in Rio de Janeiro. If I could send you a bit of the freezing winds we're having today here in Cambridge!
I loved reading about your pets! And I love the picture of Crosby and Lola! We have all cats right now, but some day, I really want a dog. I hope we can have cats and dogs living together like yours do!
Hi Tammy! Oh, it's such a joy having cats and dogs. My dogs are too big to sit on my lap, and my cats cannot accompany on my walks. So it's the best of both worlds!
:-)
Oh, and about Crosby's name… He was already Crosby when we got him because of the color of his fur Here's the story. Hope you like it!
http://www.thedailytail.com/nonfiction/a-pet&rsqu...
Our two cats are very dog-like as well. Tut will groom Taz (the old Lab) for hours on end. He and Jade (the berner) are big counter-surfers. The worst was when I "hid" a birthday cake on top of the refrigerator. I heard a big crash, then a weird scraping noise. Tut had pushed the cake off the fridge, and the two of them were pushing & pawing at the plastic container, across the hardwood floor, trying to get it open and help themselves. Tut gets table scraps from my husband (above my objections) and is very fond of chicken wings. The cats do love a small drop of cream in the mornings, and some plain yogurt as well. They have a special meow that sounds just like "crrream"….Yes, I know it's not good for them, but the vet says they both are healthy and normal weights….
What a crew, Cindy! Your guys sound like a lot of fun. I'd love to see some pictures of them!
Sounds like a very exciting, lovable family! Love hearing about their antics. Animals are soooo funny. They can make you just roll with laughter w/o anyone else even being around. Animals are way coool!
I agree, Carol. They surprise me every day – most times positively.
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I guess having cats and dogs raised together get their minds a little twisted. I had a little dog, Vicky, that used to romp with Mishy when he climbed banks, until she would fall! She thought that if he could, she could!
That's hilarious, Marise! I'm glad my dogs never tried to follow the cats. They would bring the house down!
your cat needs cat food for the taurine, so make sure he eats it, or he will go blind.
Ranndie, thank you so much for the advice. My cat only eats a bit of the dogs food in the afternoon, but he has his full meals of cat food three times a day. The dog food is just an appetizer!
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I currently have a young orange foster boy who shows all intentions of becoming a "dog cat" too. He mingles freely with my big guys and has no fear of anything. If he survives this fearlessness, he's going to make someone such a wonderful companion. I'll hate to let him go, but it will only be to a great home. and "you can't keep them all"–darn! And with rescues, there's always another one who needs us out there…
It's true, Debbie. But I quit fostering cats recently. They come and never go because I can't say goodbye, just like my husband. Now we have two girls and two boys at home. Oh my!
:-)