Huh?!
This is new.
Reilly is an angel with the cats. He’s gentle and clearly very fond of Samson and Tabitha. A super-anxious freakout ensued once when I packed up the cats to stay with my parents over the summer as Gerry, Sean & Co. worked on The Unit. Aware of Reilly’s challenging behaviour issues, our human acquaintances are generally astounded when I affirm that he’s lovely with the cats. And he’s a dream around the house – except if we have visitors. *Sigh.* We’re working on that. Addressing anxiety in this puzzling dog is a long, slow process.
But I digress. Back to why I’m taken aback by the dog and cat’s harmonious co-existence on the bed…
Samson refuses to join the Reilly Fan Club. While Tabitha genuinely reciprocates Reilly’s affection, Samson on the other hand prefers to duel the unsuspecting dog into submission at every opportunity. For example, without prompt, nor provocation the intrepid orange tabby will dash from across the room to administer a few (declawed) hard slaps on Reilly’s nose. Hilarious and tragic. Reilly retreats dejectedly and lies down in defeat, which of course only gives the cat a better shot.
So the fact that Samson is allowing Reilly to sleep in “his” space is a huge step. Too early to declare that it’s a “huge step forward” since I don’t know what the cat really has in mind. An evil plan may be brewing behind the benign demeanour of the cunning feline. Jealousy tends to rule poor Samson who in truth is a dog trapped inside a cat’s body. Complicated.
Apparently Reilly is aware of the potential risk. He’s opting to sleep with one eye open.