Just adopted a cat... help with the dogs adjusting?

[Louisa]

Hi all --

Well, I caved in and adopted a cat tonight, I couldn't say no.  She is beautiful, a Russian blue who was on her way to the shelter.  My neighbors relative was looking to get rid of her and she mentioned to me that she was going to take her to Animal rescue league at the end of the week and I said I would try to take her in, pending on how the dogs did.

She is probably about "teenage" in age. Not a small kitten but almost full grown. She has a wonderful disposition, very laid back and extremely tolerant of the dogs. Even with all of their poking and prodding and sniffing to explore what she is.  Almost TOO tolerant really... she doesn't even move when they poke her! She just starts closing her eyes again about ready to fall asleep.

Simba absolutely is the most laid back dog in the world, she couldn't care less the cat is here at all.  I haven't seen her even look at the cat or move from the couch most of the evening. Typical Simba with anything, she is very laid back.  I could bring a baboon to the house and as long as it didnt harass her, she couldn't care less.

Zoey was the one I worried about because she has chased cats out of the yard before and she does have a good prey-drive. So far, she has tried grooming and licking her (at least I think she is grooming her? She licks her when I have her in my arms, licks her ears and face) and she seems okay BUT I left the room and the cat jumped up on my shelf and she barked at her. So that was not good I guess. I scolded her for barking. Pooh is just being Pooh, but is a bit too excited around her for my liking. He is trying to play with her, and he plays rough. Too rough for Zoey or Simba half the time. He also started barking at her whenever she jumped on a shelf to lay down. So I put a nice blanket up on the shelf so she could have a place to get away from the dogs (actually the top of a bookcase only about 5 feet tall).

She is sleeping there as I type this, being an angel. I am just worried whenever I have to go to work tomorrow. I am worried that she is too laid back and will let them push her around and I dont want to ruin her wonderful disposition I think its great that she is so tolerant and low key about the dogs.  Pooh is lying on my bed as we speak, sleeping.  Zoey is eating.  The cat is perched atop the shelf sleeping away. Simba is in the living room, out cold. So they are not bothering her at all, but if she jumps down, I have a feeling they would go up to her again and harass her.  Mostly just because she is "new" and not a dog.  But I want to be sure they dont hurt her and she adjusts well!!  I am worried!

How can I ensure that all is well when I leave tomorrow? Also anyone else have an experience like this? How do you allow the dogs to adjust to the new creature?

THANKS!!!

[Carol]

That is one VERY blessed cat!!!!!  Your mellow crew will accept her in time.  Just keep telling the crew what is right and wrong and don't waiver.  I would keep your new member in a bedroom when you aren't around. They will eventually get along well enough you can trust them but it will take time.  She will let Pooh play until she tires of it then she will move out of his reach; he will probably be thrilled to have a new playmate.  Don't forget to get one of those cat toys that is on the end of a fairly long stick and you bounce it all around-Levi loves those lol!!!

[Louisa]

She is doing good so far, they've already mellowed out enough with her that I've stopped leaving her locked in the bedroom. She has given pooh a swat or two, but he adores her and she just hops up on the furniture where they can't reach her once they annoy her enough. She is quite the handful herself though! Very very active kitten!