Hi Guys!!

Its been a while since i have been on here, and well i need your educated advice and help.

We have had Willow our long haired tabby for about 4 years.

She is very independant but loves a cuddle and a good fight / chase.

Right or wrong myself and my partner had been considering taking on a dog for sometime, a week ago we took the plunge and visited the rescue home.

We are now owners of a 1 yr old german shephard cross (bitch). So far she has seen Horses (i think for the 1st time) other dogs and pups, all of them she reacted playfully wanting to smell and then pretty much ignored them.

She saw Willow through the window of the livingroom and was interested... Willow as you can imagine seemed appauled!

We have not entered this willy nilly, we know we need to introduce them in a controlled environment and Willow has to feel completely secure at all times, we also understand that the dog is a fairly high prey dog.

I am after your stories really of how you managed this, and how your cats reacted.

So far its been 24 hours, Willow has ventured into the kitchen a few times (the dog can not get to the kitchen) but when she hears the dog moving in the Crate in the next room she runs back out again.

When outside she doesnt seem particulary stressed and is accepting me stroking her. She wont, so far, eat in the kitchen (i took her food next door to her second home this morning) I am just wondering how i will introduce them if she doesnt even feel comfy coming in. Will this just happen over time?

Any stories you can share will be greatly appreciated as i am beginning to feel a bit upset for my cat (feel like we have just kicked her out), and a bit upset that we may have to return the dog to the home if it doesnt work out.

Thanks for listening...
Beki