I thought this little tale might make you smile.
Today I was walking the girls Sal and Tess early this morning and by about 5.30am we were returning home when I met a man fetching his morning paper he was totally fascinated by the fact trotting slowly behind us was one of my cats. Oscar who has accompanied the Staffs I have owned on local early morning late night walks for the last 20odd years. As puppies he "watches over them" almost guarding them from unwanted or over enthusiasitic adavance of other dogs (he is a decent size Tom) as they grow he tolerates their teenage advances as they get older he uses them as cushions and hot water bottles.
But on the walks if we meet other dogs he either scoots off or walks inbetween my two and they close ranks around him.
The cats as kittens came into the life of Sam and Gyp two fully grown Staffs and they accepted them. So Oscar and Cleo the cats grew up under the protection of two Staffs. Then due to old age we lost those two and got Gypsy (who hated anything on four legs it seemed somethimes) who had a great relationship with the cats especially Oscar. We lost Gypsy sadly earlier than we should have done and then came Sal - who is now 3 and has taken on the role of protector of a 23 year old white and ginger Tom. Abely supported by Tess who at almost 15 months when out and about and who until recently was occasionaly a little uncertain of whose side she was on the cats or the other dogs.
Anyhow the chap I meet this morning was convinced that staffs and cats were and are mortal enemies and gave me a warning "you'll live to regret that, one day one of them will get hurt"
And he may well be right because when we lost Sam and Gyp through old age and Gyp through illness. Oscar was heartbroken. He searched calling for them and finaly settled to sleep in their spots. Then we get a pup and his duties start all over again.
Sadly at 23 I can't see his duties and care extending to another generation of Staffs and that will be their loss as well as ours.
P.S His sister Cleo is totally uninterested in the dogs. She's only really interested if the nights are cold and she wants to stay warm. Then it seems they are tolerable. as she buries herself in the centre of the bodies piled on the sofa. and then you can see her almost thinking "why does she always get short coated dogs get St Bernards, or something with more fur to keep me warm"
Karen
you don't live with him!! 
