Previous Animal Updates: July 4, 2008
Dogs: a cat's best friends?
Visitors to our beautiful Porsche and Mercedes Steffens Oasis for Feline Leukemia Positive Cats are always taken aback to see that the facility includes dogs! The assumption is that the presence of dogs detracts from the cats' quality of life and the ambience of their special quarters. It is assumed that dogs and cats will inevitably fight with each other.
The concern is valid: maintaining a serene environment is important for cats whose immune systems are compromised. However, boredom and isolation can be even more stressful and enervating than having a few canines around to contend with. In fact, the pacific small dogs of the feline leukemia facility have a remarkably enhancing effect on the cats, and the two species enjoy a fascinating symbiosis.
Roxy's life isn't all about guard duty. Here, she enjoys a good chuckle.
The reception area of our leukemia building is staffed by a number of "greeter" dogs who not only welcome visitors but protect our precious leukemia cats from harm. It is a sad fact that when vandalism occurs at animal shelters, the perpetrators usually strike the cats or rabbits, because they are small, quiet and virtually defenseless. The presence of a vocal band of medium-sized and large dogs, who are gentle but ever watchful, ensures that nobody can enter the feline leukemia building unless they are supposed to be there. Our welcoming committee includes denizen Keeshonds Greta and Barkley, the elderly Annie, Cocker Spaniel Goldie, Cairn Terrier Murphy, and their newest roommate Roxy.
Upon passing muster with these dogs, visitors can observe the cats through a view window. Lounging on several cat trees, a futon, and a couch, are leukemia-positive cats hailing from all over the United States and even from Canada! Several have lived at Home for Life® for many years without exhibiting any ill effects attributable to the leukemia virus. Such long-lived denizens include Icy, who hails from Manitoba; Snow, a feral cat found in rural Minnesota; Snow's playful daughter Trixie; Magic, a large and friendly black tomcat; and our Christmas cats, Sophie and her two sons Osgood and George. There are usually 20–30 feline leukemia cats in the Oasis at any given time.
Osgood and George with their late brother Elvis.
Summer is the time to visit the Oasis. During these months, the cats run and play in the huge outdoor run attached to the cattery and accessible via cat doors. In the run, the cats find fascinating bugs to play with, crowd close to the perimeter to observe nearby gophers and voles, and contemplate birds and butterflies that hover close by. Our leukemia cats even have their own "pet" birds: our sanctuary birds whose outdoor aviary is adjacent to the cat run. The felines spend tantalizing hours considering how close, and yet how far, the birds in the aviary are. The younger cats, like Osgood and George, sometime vault up the chain link fence to get a closer look at one of the high-flying conures.
Two of the cats' "pet" birds enjoy their outdoor aviary, at a safe distance from the cats!
Inside the feline leukemia cattery is where the cats and the small dogs who reside with them defy "common sense." These two unlikely groups have much in common: the leukemia cats and the older small dogs are packing a lot of living into their years at HFL. Quality trumps quantity for those who may not have many years left. These animals were without options before they arrived at HFL, and they seem determined to make the most of their present good fortune. Thus, the Oasis is a happy place and the cats and dogs form touching friendships.
The cats find the small dogs excellent sources of warmth: "hot water bottles with fur," so to speak. They can be found cuddling with each other on the futon and couches. The cats will even groom the dogs as they lounge together. The two groups also bask outdoors in the sunshine together on these warm summer days. Little T, a black Toy Poodle who has no eyes, receives respectful and gentle treatment from the cats, who nestle with him on his dog bed and rub against him when he is outside. Little T has memorized the location of the door flaps and can find his way in and out on his own.
The little dogs take the job of protecting "their" cats seriously. They come forward boldly to meet and shake down visitors to the cattery. The cats rely on the dogs to screen all new people, and hang back contentedly until the dogs conclude that the visitors are friendly. Many of our leukemia cats used to live outside as strays and survived by their wits. Now, they appreciate having dogs around to act as a first line of defense.
The most vocal of the "guard" dogs is little Hawk, a red Min Pin with uncut ears, who was brutally tortured for years before he was rescued by Minneapolis social workers. Hawk's family used to put Tabasco or hot chili sauce in Hawk's mouth and laugh while he ran around screaming in pain. They also made him live in a dark closet most of the time. Initially hostile and fearful, Hawk has made great progress since arriving at HFL. Affectionate when he is sure of himself, he takes his security duties very seriously.
Chloe, an elderly one-eyed Jack Russell mix, is also apt to follow visitors and announce to all that someone she does not recognize is present. Meanwhile, Pomeranians Teddy Bear and Dixie patrol outside and have Chloe's and Hawk's backs. Once visitors have achieved security clearance, the cats then deign to approach for a meet-and-greet.
Besides their uses as a handy heat source and alarm system, the dogs are indispensable to the cats as important reminders of their feline superiority. While the dogs work energetically to maintain order, the cats watch from their perches and beds with an air of amusement. Nothing pleases cats more than having others expend energy on their behalf—all is right in the world when the cats are being catered to.