It's a Team's Life

Double Trouble

By Linda Caffee
Posted Jan 20th 2018 7:38AM

Squeaky, the kitten was added to the truck and he quickly settled in and taught us how to treat a kitty.  He became lord of the roost and while he is a patient cat and puts up with a lot of my antics such as dressing him he still does pretty much as he pleases.  He has learned when the truck starts he has to get off of the dash and that he cannot get under our feet when we are driving.  He also has no desire to get out of the truck which is a great relief due to how black he is. 

After a time, I started wanting a four-legged companion to walk and play ball with.  My favorite companion of all time has been a German Shepard as they are smart, loyal, and fun.  They are also known for getting along with cats.  Finally, the day came when we found our puppy Texas, and she was added to our truck.  Squeaky was not impressed.

Now came the problem of separating their food and placing the litter box so that Squeaky could have privacy.  The litter box was placed under a bench seat and a heater vent cover was removed so that he could easily enter the area and Texas could not.  This though would not work for his food and another idea was hatched.  Bob made an opening into our closet and Squeaky’s food and water are placed into his private eating area. He is quick to let us know if he can see the bottom of his food bowl or that is water is getting low. He is not into personal suffering.

Texas is a slob and we had to find her a water bowl where she could not dribble water all over the floor.  A special bowl was found for dogs that drink like her but it was not something Squeaky could not drink out of.  Her food bowl is also large and she gets to eat out in the open.  Squeaky sometimes eats a few pieces of her kibble but does not gobble down the bowl like Texas would if she could get to Squeak’s food.

Now the problem of food, water, and litter boxes was solved and we move onto their personalities.  Squeaky still rules the roost usually until Texas sits on him or pushes him off of the chair or bed.  The arguing that goes on in the truck reminds me of when we traveled with our children.

Squeaky has learned that if he yowls Texas gets into trouble.  Sometimes Texas is hassling him by nosing him or pushing him around but usually, it is because she is looking at him, yes, I said LOOKING.  That darn cat, like a small child, decides at times he does not want the dog looking at him, lying next to him, or basically being in the same area as him and he yowls as if he is being killed. Poor Texas has learned to run to the front of the truck or to the back of the truck whichever is needed to hide when he makes these noises.

How sad is it that a twelve-pound kitty can make a 62 pound German Shepard puppy cower in fear?  Squeaky knows that we will get mad at Texas as it does absolutely no good to get mad at a cat.  Next Squeaky will get over his upset and he will curl up next to Texas sound asleep as happy as a cat can be.

Texas is the easy going one in the truck as she is always happy and works to please us.  She is not above teasing Squeaky whenever possible nor is Squeaky above giving her a little nip when she is not expecting it.  The two of them fight and get along as siblings and they make us smile, laugh out loud, and want to strangle them several times a day.

Having a dog and cat in the truck is a hassle but they both bring us a lot of joy every day and now I cannot imagine being without them. Squeaky has made both Bob and I cat lovers which is something we were not till he came along.  Now I cannot imagine life without a cat or dog.

Water Bowl Kitty Door 

Bob & Linda Caffee

TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO

Expediters since January 2005

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