I adopted Klaus as a tiny, tiny puppy just around three years ago. I had hoped that a puppy would be the best bet in terms of everyone getting along. I thought that the cats would be able to just give this tiny dog a few little “I’m the boss here” hisses and everything would be golden. Buuuut I was wrong…

After a full year there was barely any progress at all. Klaus was more than interested in being friends but neither of the cats wanted anything to do with him. He was admittedly a little aggressive, not in a bad way but he’s three times their size and an absolute ball energy. Klaus and the cats were rarely ever in the same room together. If Squid was in the hallway, I was in the bedroom and Klaus was on the other side of the house he wouldn’t come to me because he was so afraid of this little black cat who was so clearly head of the house.

Eventually things started to progress. I remember one specific incident where Jeff and I were laying in bed with Klaus and Professor hopped up to get cozy with us. We lost our minds. It was so exciting for them to be that close together. (Everyone in this house is obsessed with cuddling with Jeff… Whatever, he smells nice.) This started happening fairly regularly and when Squid got involved too it was selfie worthy. I have so many grainy photos of the five of us together that I excitedly took.

More progress came when I moved to the apartment I’m living in now. It was like something clicked and all three of the animals were nicer to each other. Eventually the five of us laying in bed together became something completely normal. Klaus and the cats were co-existing successfully! He had backed off trying to give them all the love and they had started to realize this big goon was here to stay no matter how mean they were to him.

Last week I walked into my bedroom to grab something from my vanity. I spotted Klaus in bed and heard Professor in his little tiny collar jingling after me. He hopped up in bed and to my surprise curled up right beside Klaus. This is a first!!!! A super duper exciting first, clearly!

So technically, they aren’t cuddling since they’re not touching but the fact that they’re sharing the bed without me or Jeff in there to play mediator is AMAZING, especially since Professor was the last one in bed. Klaus will often try to hang out with the cats only for them to immediately get up and leave. He tries to bring them his toys sometimes. It’s so sweet. My heart breaks for this big goofy dog who can’t understand why these two cats don’t like him.

I honestly can’t believe it’s taken nearly three years for this to happen. I’ve got hope that maybe some day I’ll walk in and spot them curled up together. It might take another three years but I think it’s gonna happen!
xoxo

Edited to add this photo I snapped yesterday, a few days after the original post was written. ALL THREE IN BED TOGETHER! Yessss!