*sigh* As I sit here I've just resorted yet again to bribery to try and keep some semblance of peace in our home. It's terrible, I know. I'm trying to get the cat and dog and their mutual love of squeeze cheeze to bring them together to a calm loving relationship. Motor shared a nice relationship with Bennie once we convinced Bennie not to eat him. Ironically the roles are reversed this time. Motor seems content to try and eat Jethro...though Jethro is a big oaf that wants to paw and sniff at Motor. I suppose it's actually mutual provocation.
What is it about cats and dogs, brothers and sister, muslims and jew (reaching) that they live in close proximity, many of times of their own choosing, yet love to fight. Chaela positions herself on the edge of the couch within good reach of Merrick, Gabriel will sit on the same couch a cushion away from Chaela and Merrick....well, he just chases them all the time right now. The cat jumps down on the chair to fight with the dog. When that's gotten all he stay just out of noses reach of the dog on the carpet, which the dog can fully access but isn't allowed on. They taunt, torment, and harass until the inevitable reaction occurs then want sympathy for their plight. "Woe is me", they cry, "I am so abused."
And what is a mother or pet owner to do? Bribe or ignore. I really don't see any other option. You can try to mediate but in reality both are at fault. I guess option three would be to punish everyone or make a wrong call. Eventually you wont hear about the problems or you'll be constantly mediating while each one gets smarter at making it appear to be the others fault. I don't have patients for the drama that may ensue. So, provided there is no blood, I ignore. If their is an audience or I can't handle the noise and destruction, I bribe or punish both. For now, that means cheese, and in a moment it may mean Jethro gets to spend yet another hour in his crate and Motor gets to go out in the cold...only to enter again through the closet. Ah, but that is a post for another day.
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