Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue

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Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue, Animal Rescue Service, .
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We rescue Mastiffs (aka English Mastiffs) and provide shelter, food, supplies, services, medical care, including spay/neuter and vaccinations, and rehabilitation for rescued Mastiffs until new homes can be found for them.

29/06/2024

07/17/2024 UPDATE: We were able to find a place for one of the girls and the other girl went to another rescue. They are safe!

We are still in need of two foster homes. Both for females. Please let us know if you can help. We want to get these sweet girls out of the shelter as soon as possible.

Mastiffs do not do well in a shelter situation.

We plead for help with rescuing 4 English Mastiffs. 3 young females and 1 young male (approximately 2-3 years old) were surrendered and we have secured placement for 1 female, but still need placement for 2 of the females and the 1 male. They have been evaluated and all are good dogs. They lived with smaller dogs and will be tested tomorrow with cats.

The shelter is not a good place for them and we need to get them moved.

Please, if you can help us, we would greatly appreciate it.
Message here, or contact Jonie at (989) 413-1533

Send a message to learn more

For those following Re*****on's progress, here are some photos that say it all!
28/06/2024

For those following Re*****on's progress, here are some photos that say it all!

Re*****on has found his forever family! You may remember Re*****on, he came in emaciated and in pretty bad shape. Thanks...
11/06/2024

Re*****on has found his forever family! You may remember Re*****on, he came in emaciated and in pretty bad shape. Thanks to Julie, his foster mom, he has recovered and is in great shape, healthy and a very sweet boy. So many families were interested in adopting Re*****on, it was hard to choose between all of them to find just the perfect fit. We so much appreciate each and every one who applied, were interviewed and although were approved for a Mastiff, not this particular boy.
Re*****on's forever home is perfect for him. They are giving him everything he needs to be all he was meant to be and he'll have a wonderful life with them. He is already a neighborhood favorite, eager to meet new people, entertaining them with his antics and becoming an ambassador for the Mastiff breed.
Thank you to Steve and Diane, who have been volunteers and adopters with GLMR for several years, we know Re*****on will have the very best of everything and live out his life with love and the best of care.

Happy to report that Mocha has found her forever family!!! She was formally adopted a few days ago....but we pretty much...
04/06/2024

Happy to report that Mocha has found her forever family!!! She was formally adopted a few days ago....but we pretty much knew she was "home" the minute she stepped in Kirk's door. Congratulations to Kirk and to Mocha for finding her place!

16/03/2024

This is long but Please read.. if you have a NON-PROFIT.. Watch out! Scammers are out there!!!!
HEADS UP, PSA, BEWARE SCAM

Mastiff Rescue of Florida was contacted through our website Feb 16,2024---
Hello,

I hope this email finds you well. My wife and I are interested in making a donation to your organization this year. Could you please guide us through the process of donating or direct us to someone who can assist us with it? We are looking forward to your response.

Best regards,
Chris Harrington.
MRF wrote back and told him how and that we appreciated it.
___________________________________________________
Feb 24,2024
I appreciate your email. My wife, Leslie, and I have a tradition of contributing to the community each year as a gesture of goodwill. We prioritize directing our donations to organizations with strong reputations, and we've learned that yours is highly regarded. We're delighted to pledge a donation of $2000 to support this commendable initiative.

Given our adherence to a predetermined budget, I'll be instructing my financial associate to issue and send you a check for the specified amount. We are very old school and prefer to make payments through paper checks for all our obligations. Could you kindly furnish me with the necessary details for mailing the check? Specifically, I'll need the name that should appear on the check and the corresponding mailing address.

We hope that our contribution will provide you with added resources to pursue your objectives, and we extend our best wishes for the ongoing success of your projects. Looking forward to reading from you soon and could you please provide me with the name of the person I am communicating with?

Best regards,
Chris Harrington.
___________________________________________________________
Feb 26,2024
I have shared the information with my secretary and I'll ensure you receive the tracking number once the check is sent. Do you have a phone number we can use to call or text (preferably) for any follow-ups concerning our donation?

Regards,
Chris Harrington.

March12,2024
Thanks for your email. Please keep me updated once the check has been received and deposited. You can also utilize mobile deposit for your convenience. I look forward to reading from you with the deposit receipt.

Regards,
Chris Harrington.
_____________________________________________________________
March12,2024
Hello Chris,

MRF has an enormous amount of appreciation for your donation of $3,780.00. What a wonderful surprise! I have no idea if you are on Facebook and able to see Our page. https://www.facebook.com/mastiffrescueofflorida.
We have recently brought in 13 English Mastiffs in the past 8 weeks. It was a miracle we found the best foster homes and most will probably adopt. Some of the dogs were starved..all have wonderful personalities and are getting veterinary care, good food and love and a stable environment.. Your donation came at a wonderful time.

What is your mailing address, we send out thank you cards and tax receipts.
______________________________________________
March12,2024
My trip is scheduled for 5pm tomorrow, and I would appreciate receiving the receipt before my departure. I'll look forward to your email.

Regards,
Chris Harrington.
____________________________________________________
March14,2024
My apologies for the delayed response, my schedule is quite packed today, just getting on my computer and reading your email. Thanks for sending the receipt but I'm a bit perplexed as the amount stated differs slightly from what we intended to donate. Upon consulting with my secretary and reviewing her records, we discovered that a donation of $3,780 was mistakenly processed instead of the originally requested $2,000. The excess funds in question were originally intended for an outgoing bill. Due to a combination of record processing being overloaded and carried over from last month, the funds were inadvertently included in the check you received. I was wondering why this discrepancy wasn't brought to my attention when you received the check.

I believe there might have been a miscommunication but I want to assure you that it's not a major issue. I've also discussed the matter with Leslie, and we've come to a decision to request a refund of the overpayment, which amounts to $1,780, as it exceeds our budgetary constraints. Leslie was a little upset about the error, but I assured her that I trust your organization and sincerely hope you won't perceive this error as an opportunity to withhold our funds, considering our genuine intention to support your organization through the donation.

To expedite the process, would it be possible for my secretary to contact you directly? This way, both of you can collaborate and ensure the issue is promptly addressed. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to resolving this matter amicably.

Regards,
Chris Harrington.
March14,2024

Hello Chris
MRF will of course return the funds once the check has cleared.
March 14,2024
Mr Harrington,

To think that you would scam rescues that do so much good.

I have just been sent Rickies Parrot and Exotic Rescue and Sanctuary of South Florida and your donation and discrepancy being the same.
We have heard nothing back!

_________________________________________________________

We then started researching on the internet and came up with another rescue that had the same correspondence Rickie's Parrot Rescue ..https://www.facebook.com/rickiesparrotrescue --MRF contacted them.. The check was written on Central Maine Motor,Inc so we contacted them as well and we were told a scam and that Harrington had contacted 12 NON-PROFITS. We contacted the fraud dept of our bank and gave them all the info. The next morning we went to the Martin County Sheriff and gave them all the information Case number 24-037096

Heads up on this scam. This scammer tried to get us to send him $1760.00 back before the check cleared (bounced)

Meet our newest rescue "Titan."  This beautiful 11 month old boy needed to be placed within days and we found the perfec...
06/03/2024

Meet our newest rescue "Titan."

This beautiful 11 month old boy needed to be placed within days and we found the perfect love connection with one of our long term GLMR families. Titan is super sweet and was a complete gentleman on his trip from Schoolcraft, MI to Traverse City, MI. He will live his best life with his new forever family. (picture with his new Momma)

THIS is exactly why we do what we do!

Please consider donating, becoming a foster or volunteering to help us continue this important and rewarding work.

https://glmr.org/

Re*****on update:  Re*****on is doing awesome!  He is slowly putting on weight each day and truly the sweetest boy!  His...
18/02/2024

Re*****on update:

Re*****on is doing awesome! He is slowly putting on weight each day and truly the sweetest boy! His foster mom can’t say enough good things about him. He is housebroken, calm, and not destructive. He is getting along well with his foster sister. He will be ready for his neuter in a few weeks. Once recovered, we will be looking for his forever home. He will make some lucky family an awesome new family member. I mean look at that sweet face♥️♥️

If interested in adopting, please fill out an adoption application on our website www.GLMR.org.

https://glmr.org/donate

Update on Re*****on♥️Re*****on went to the vet this week and weighed in at 87 pounds when he should be approximately 140...
27/01/2024

Update on Re*****on♥️

Re*****on went to the vet this week and weighed in at 87 pounds when he should be approximately 140-150. The good news is he is a great eater and is on his way up. The vet thinks he is approximately 4-5 years old. Thankfully, he is heart worm negative and all of his bloodwork came back good. Aside from being filled with parasites, he is in good health overall for the shape he is in. Someone was definitely looking out for this sweet boy. We will get him healthy and stronger so he can be neutered soon and find his forever family once and for all.

Despite all he has been through, Re*****on is the sweetest boy who is just so happy to be loved, warm and fed. Everyone at the vet fell in love with him. The vet even said he would love to take him if he had room. His foster mom says he is the best boy and loves just being with her, giving kisses and playing with his favorite stuffed hedgehog toy that goes everywhere with him. He is going to make someone an amazing new family member!

Thank you for all of the donations, shares and positive thoughts and prayers. They have helped tremendously. Without you, we could not do what we do! Also, we are always in need of volunteers and fosters. There are many dogs like Re*****on that need help and a soft place to land while they wait for their forever home. If you would like to donate or find more information on adopting and volunteering, please go to our website www.GLMR.org.

https://glmr.org/donate/

DONATIONS NEEDED! Meet Re*****on.  Re*****on came into GLMR yesterday grossly underweight and has lived his entire life ...
24/01/2024

DONATIONS NEEDED!

Meet Re*****on. Re*****on came into GLMR yesterday grossly underweight and has lived his entire life outside, even during the terrible winter storms over the last few weeks. Thank you to many volunteers and 3 legs of transport, he is now safe, warm and loved in a wonderful GLMR foster home but will need a lot of medical care to get this sweet boy where he needs to be.

If you are able, please follow the link below to donate. Make sure to note “Re*****on” to help us help him!

https://glmr.org/donate/

01/01/2024

Happy New Year to our Volunteers, Foster Families and Adopters! We hope this coming year will bring you health, happy times and prosperity. Thank you for your participation this past year to make the life of a Mastiff what they deserve. Take care, be well and stay safe!

15/11/2023

Calling All Volunteers!!
We are in need of foster homes throughout the region. Currently in MI we are looking for temporary fosters for three dogs, one 6 yr old, apricot M/N, one 5 yr old Brindle M/N, and a 4 yr old apricot F/I.
The Brindle male has been evaluated and found to be good with both large and small dogs, but is really stressed by small children. A home with older children would be fine, no toddlers. He is resource guarding with food and toys.
The apricot male and female are house mates and will be evaluated shortly.
Please stay tuned for more info and if you are able and available to assist with any of the three, please contact either Jonie, Melissa or Jan.
Thanks All!

30/09/2023
🍂🍁💩🍁🍂
21/09/2023

🍂🍁💩🍁🍂

Happy International Dog Day from GLMR's Hank and Josie!Post your dogs in the comments ☺️
26/08/2023

Happy International Dog Day from GLMR's Hank and Josie!

Post your dogs in the comments ☺️

Tips to keep your dogs safe in this extreme heat!
23/08/2023

Tips to keep your dogs safe in this extreme heat!

Warning - graphic picture attached.   GLMR really needs your help with a new dog brought into the rescue who will need e...
04/04/2023

Warning - graphic picture attached.

GLMR really needs your help with a new dog brought into the rescue who will need extensive medical help. Rome is a 2 year old male who was surrendered to GLMR. The surrender form was sent in by a Good Samaritan who encouraged the family, who has fallen on hard times, to allow a rescue to help him when the dog presented with the sore.

GLMR went to work to secure a foster home, but we quickly realized that Rome was not going to make it if we didn’t get him to an emergency veterinarian. Rome was in excruciating pain and not only was his front leg swollen and had a severe, deep sore that was oozing puss, he also had swelling in his back leg and could not walk. Luckily, the Good Samaritan stepped up once again and offered to transport him for us.

Rome was taken to MSU Veterinary Clinic where he underwent emergency surgery to clean the wound and is on IV antibiotics. Rome is not out of the woods and will need extensive and continuing care. The current minimum for his care is approximately $3,500 but that amount will most likely climb once we ascertain what needs to be done to save Rome's life and help him recover. .

He does not have a foster lined up yet, but if you have knowledge of wound management and would like to help Rome recover, please let us know.

The veterinarians at MSU said, despite his condition and level of pain, he has been a very sweet boy.

Donations can be made to GLMR via [email protected].

Thank you so very much for your time and hopefully assistance with the medical costs.

Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue is selling fresh Christmas wreaths. The sales have begun and we are offering a variety of wre...
17/11/2022

Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue is selling fresh Christmas wreaths.

The sales have begun and we are offering a variety of wreaths, swags, garlands, and ornaments.

Order your gorgeous Christmas Forest gifts now from one of our members or order online.

How to order and support Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue:
It's Easy:
Go to www.ChristmasForest.com
• Add to Cart to order a forest fresh wreath or ornament.
• Enter MASTIFF in the club code field at check out.
• Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue will earn a portion of the sale!

Thank you for supporting Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue!

If you haven't ordered from us in the past, the products that Christmas Forest offers are amazing. They last so much longer than the ones I have purchased from the big box stores.

Order Christmas wreaths fresh from the forest. Enjoy our large selection of gorgeous fresh wreaths shipped to your front door.

23/06/2022

Dear Fellow Dog Lover,

Happy Wednesday.

This week, I've got a "brain teaser" for you.

And once I reveal the answer, you'll discover a far more accurate way to compare 2 or more dog foods.

That way, you won't be fooled by the number on the label and choose the wrong food for your dog.

Ready?

So let's say you're shopping for dog food. And you come across 2 good options.

One is a wet food. And the other, a dry kibble.

As you scan the labels, you notice the dry food contains 27% protein. A lot more than the wet food, which contains just 9%.

Based on these numbers alone, which one should you choose?

Of course, most dog parents would choose the one with the higher protein number. Right?

But that would be a BIG mistake.

Truth is, if you only go by the number printed on the label, you'd likely be choosing the food with LESS protein. Not more.

That's because EVERY dog food contains water. Some a lot more than others.

And water can have a major effect on the total amount of protein reported in any food.

Here's why…

Every pet food label displays its protein content "as fed", which means as it comes out of the bag (or the can) and goes into your dog's feeding bowl.

Which also means it contains water.

A fact which makes it impossible to accurately compare 2 or more dog foods.

And WHY it's SO important to first remove ALL the water from each recipe BEFORE you try to make a comparison.

If not, you could end up buying a dog food that contains a lot less protein than you think.

And you'd never even know it.

Here's the point.

The best way to remove the water from any dog food is to convert the protein content on the label to what's called "dry matter basis".

This is the exact same method used by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as well as the Food and Drug Administration to compare dog foods in their own labs.

If you'd like to learn how to do this yourself, and you don't mind a little math…

You can read my article about dry matter basis here.

But there's an easier way.

Simply visit any review for any brand on The Dog Food Advisor website. All the nutrition numbers on every page have already been converted to dry matter basis. So there's nothing for you to do yourself.

Or if you need help choosing the best food for your dog presented in each of 39 different categories… be sure to visit The Advisor's Best Dog Food page.

Well, that's it for now. See you next week.

Please be sure to share this important message with other dog owners.

In the service of dogs.

Mike Sagman, Editor
The Dog Food Advisor
Saving Good Dogs From Bad Dog Food

22/06/2022

How To Get Cats and Dogs to Get Along
How to make cats and dogs get along: Success starts from the very first minute the new dog or cat lands in your home, so plan it well.
By
Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA
-
Published:November 19, 2021
11

A very tall cat tree and a well-trained dog help smooth a canine/feline introduction. Our kitty Bo and dog Mojo have been friends for years, but we often host foster dogs, so the tree and the baby gate on the other side of it help give our cat a quick path to safety.
According to family lore, when my husband was a little boy, his bedtime request was always the same: “Tell me a story about a doggy and a kitty who made friends.” Those of us who have navigated the doggy-kitty waters know that he was definitely onto something. This topic has drama, surprise, even a bit of danger – all with the potential for a gleefully happy ending. Luckily, in real life, there’s much you can do to short-circuit the suspense and get to the “happily ever after” as soon as possible.
1. Plan carefully for the first minute, and stick to the plan.
If you take away only one thing from this article, make it this: You don’t get a second chance at the first minute.
The time to think about facilitating a good canine-feline introduction is way before you add the new pet. The very first moments in the house together can set the tone for this new dynamic. If you’ve taken a spontaneous, “Oh, they’ll work it out” approach, and the all-but-inevitable giant chase scene takes place, you have already blown it.
That’s so easy to prevent with just a little upfront planning. Remember that you’re going to have a lot on your mind as you enter the house with that new pet. The most frustrating call I get is this one: “Oh, I meant to have the dog in the crate when we came in with the new kitty, but we were so excited we just forgot. There was a chase. Honestly, Rover just wanted to play! He didn’t mean any harm. But, um, Fluffy hasn’t come out from under the bed for two days. What do we do now?” You’ll wish you could get that first hour back.
2. How to introduce a dog to a cat
The new pet in question, whether the dog or the cat, has a lot to take in at first: New people, new home, new vibe. It makes sense to postpone the much-anticipated dog-cat introduction until there’s been time settle in. For example, if a kitty is the newcomer to the home, you may want to keep her in a bedroom for anywhere from an afternoon to a few days as you bond with her.
In some cases, allowing the dog and the cat to sniff each other under a bedroom door can be a perfect start. Without that intense visual stimulus, the interaction is often calmer. You can exchange bedding materials to allow even closer investigation via the nose.
Once the new kid is a bit settled, it’s time for a formal introduction. Ideally, you’ll get a ho-hum reaction along the lines of “Oh, it’s the dude from under the door.”
3. Contain the dog.
There are two keys to the best introductions: canine containment and feline confidence. Think hard about how you can reinforce both at your house.
Typically, a dog is the more excited part of the new duo, which is why that’s the side you’ll want to contain. Please don’t assume the rules are different for a little puppy! People often discount the emotional trauma an exuberant (if physically harmless) puppy can cause. The bottom line is that if you want a dog and a cat to become friends, you’ll start by keeping the dog from getting in the cat’s space.
If your dog is comfortable with a crate, that’s the ideal place for him when he’s first meeting the cat. Alternatively, you can use gates or pens to establish a safe separation. Either option has the advantage of leaving you hands-free and able to move between the pets to manage the situation and deliver treats.
While keeping a dog on leash for the intro might be fine with a completely uninterested dog or the tiniest of puppies, it might be a challenge, and here’s why:
1.
1.
 Your hands are occupied with the leash, making it difficult to manage treats or petting.
 You get tired of holding on, which could lead to a slip-up.
 If you let your leashed dog pull you around after the cat, the cat will feel there’s no place that is dog-free, so her anxiety stays through the roof.
Tethering the leash to something fixed in place can mitigate some of these issues. Still, crates and gates will likely give you a better experience for the initial phase.
4. Give the cat a safe, high place to retreat to.
With the exception of the very young and the very old, most cats will be able to jump and climb up to spots a dog can’t reach. The faster the cat figures that out, the faster you’re on your way to a peaceful home. A high, safe perch gives the cat that all-important confidence that she’s got some control over the situation, which will allow her to entertain the idea of exploring a friendship.
Before the big day, ponder the possible cat perches in your house. The size and agility of the dog will determine whether that will be a chair, a table, a counter, or the top of the refrigerator! You may need to do a little rearranging to make sure it’s easy for the cat to reach and impossible for the dog to get to. Help the cat learn that this is her spot by putting a bed there and bringing her there often for treats and petting. (She can eventually learn that many tall spots will do the trick, but at first we want her to know about one for sure.)
If it’s in your budget and you can get over the impact it has on your decor, get a giant kitty condo tree. It’ll have a carpet grip that a scared cat can count on when seeking a climb to safety. The most fun ones have landings at different heights, too, so that as your cat gains confidence she can choose to hang out just a bit closer to the dog.
I bought a monstrosity from Chewy.com that I adore. (Goodbye, nice dining room.) It’s brought me peace of mind because Mr. Bojangles knows he can streak to his tall treehouse if some new foster dog decides to chase him. Bonus: We also feed him up there, which is a great way to keep the dogs out of the cat food.
5. Take a crash course in dog and cat body language.
Now that you’ve figured out how you’ll contain the dog and where you’ll encourage your cat to stay out of reach, it’s time to introduce the two. Sometimes, that moment will be such a non-event that you’ll feel off-duty almost immediately. More likely, though, you’ll be spending hours to days – and even weeks – watching body language and being ready to intervene.
Familiarize yourself with the big warning signs:
1.
1.
 If your dog stiffens and stares, take a break, because that’s what it looks like when his predatory behavior is kicking in.
 If the cat’s ears are pinned back and her tail swishes back and forth, take a break, because she’s very concerned. (Remember that the cat may be the one to do some harm!)
6. Introduce the cohabitants and reward calm behavior.
While you want to be ready to take action if you see too much intensity, also be ready to reward calm. Plan to have amazing treats ready near the introduction/bonding area. If possible, have a second person available for this moment, so that each pet has a handler throughout the session.
Here’s what it might look like: Perhaps your dog is in a crate with you sitting next to him, and another family member calmly brings the cat to her now-familiar spot up in her kitty condo tree. Or we’ve got the cat on her now-familiar kitchen counter area, and we bring the dog to the gate just outside the kitchen.
The moment the cat is in sight, offer your dog bites of hot dog, feta cheese, ham, or whatever is new and exciting to him. This is a three-prong strategy as you are:
1.
1.
 Distracting him from the cat.
 Rewarding him for doing something other than obsessively focusing on the cat.
 Building a positive association with the cat. “Oh! So the presence of this cat means I get amazing treats I’ve never had before! What do you know? I like this cat.”
Use tiny pea-sized pieces so you can keep up a stream of activity. If he’s too excited to take them, increase his distance from the cat. If he’s eating them, you can begin asking for sits, downs, spins, and touches to help take his mind off the cat.
Have one person standing near the cat, offering a sense of security, petting, and treats. If the cat realizes the dog can be in sight without being a threat, she may well go into “boring kitty” mode, which is ideal. The last thing we want is a cat who darts very provocatively – which is why you want to do everything you can to calm the cat without restraining her, which would set this whole scenario way back.
It may be that one 5-minute session is plenty for now. Help everyone go back to their separate areas of your home, and repeat this every few hours. Soon enough, both will anticipate what’s next. Ideally, your dog will run over and – rather than thinking “Oooh, a kitty to chase!” – he’ll think, “Oooh, time for me to sit for a hot dog!” As the cat sees the dog approach her perch, rather than thinking, “Oh no!” she should be thinking, “This is where he sits and doesn’t bother me, and I get those crunchy treats I never get any other time!”
HARD WORK PAYS LIFELONG DIVIDENDS
Make no mistake: These early sessions are a lot of work for the human. It’s fascinating, though, and in the end it can pay off dramatically with a smooth and relatively quick path to calm. As you witness both parties relaxing, it’s time to slow the stream of treats, and let them begin to focus on each other from time to time without trying to distract them.
If you’re lucky, your cat will decide it might be fun to reach down and experiment. You’ll know things are going well when the cat starts to dangle a tail, or a paw . . . You’re on your way to the two of them figuring out just how they can play together.
BRAVE CATS, CALM DOGS
Shadow the wolf hybrid, snuggling with his pal Fritzy, against all odds.
Even if you do everything right, there are some dogs who will never be safe around any cat, and cats who will never be able to relax around a dog. When considering getting a second pet, think carefully about both personalities before you take the leap.
If you are in a position to choose the new animal (as opposed to, say, needing to take in your Aunt Matilda’s old cat) then you’ll want to stack the deck in your favor by picking wisely. The cat or dog who has already happily lived in a “mixed” canine/feline home is an ideal choice. Try to fall in love with that one!
If you don’t have a candidate who has demonstrated that she can live with the “other side” already, look for positive-indicator traits. The ideal cat will be confident and interested in new things. She’ll stand her ground, look at a dog calmly and say, “Nope, I’m not prey.” The nervous cat who runs is a disaster, because she’ll turn a dog who was otherwise inclined to be mellow into a drooling, chasing mess.
The ideal dog will be on the calmer side, exhibit some impulse control, and will respond to a few cues like sit, down, touch, shake, or spin.
DOGS AND CATS: HAPPILY EVER AFTER
With enough effort, a multi-species household can work out even when, on the face of it, the candidates don’t seem ideally suited for long-term cohabitation.
About 18 years ago, we had two dogs and a desire for a cat. On the face of it, it looked a wee bit ill-advised, since Shadow was a strong, athletic wolf hybrid (don’t ask) whose intensity around small running things indicated this could be dicey. On the plus side, though, our dogs were well-trained, and we knew Piper, the little yellow Lab, would be BFFs with the cat in no time.
I was wildly interested in this prospect from all angles, and I was the one who was home all the time to do the work.
So we headed to the shelter with the kids and asked those smart folks which of the 30 or so cats might be a good choice for us. They pointed out two. We chose one and headed home to start a months-long journey of gates and leashes and treats.
At first Shadow was a shaking, drooling mess any time he was near the kitty. But Fritzy the cat just looked at him calmly – almost rolling his eyes – waiting for him to become civilized.
At some point, the novelty wore off just enough, the treats smelled just delicious enough, and Shadow’s pack instinct kicked in just enough. His body language no longer worried me. Still, I wasn’t about to remove our gates. But then … Fritzy started leaping over those gates to be with the dogs – and Shadow paid him no mind. Once my heart returned from my throat, I realized we’d done it.
Soon they were the classic “doggy and kitty who made friends” curled up together on the bed, much to my grown husband’s delight.

Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA
Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA, is a Family Dog Mediator (FDM) who specializes in puppyhood coaching in Alexandria, VA. She’s also the author of 101 Rescue Puppies: One Family’s Story of Fostering Dogs, Love and Trust.

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