Olive

I mentioned that we adopted a kitten last week. 

This is Olive.

She was named Olive Oil by her foster family. 

We just kept calling her Olive, so I guess that is her name.

 We had talked about a kitten for a loooong while, but were seriously concerned about Bonnie.

She barks passionately when a cat is outside the window... much like she barks at rabbits.  

We were concerned her prey drive was just too strong.

I did a lot of research, and we have been very careful.  

We introduced her to Anna first, who really didn't care.

Then Lucy who was so friendly, but a little too enthusiastic, and Olive had to show Lu about her personal space requirements.  

We did not introduce Bonnie the first day.

Most of the first day the kitten just hid.

 We finally dug her out from under the couch and put her in the laundry room where none of the dogs could have access.  We did go in and spend time with her playing and loving her up.

The second day we kept the kitten in the large dog crate in the house so Bonnie could start getting used to her. 

We would let her out often, and lock Bonnie away.  

Lucy and Olive have been sharing space very well since then.  

The kitten became much more confident. 

After Olive was used to us we mostly kept Bonnie locked up.

Each day, Olive and Bonnie spent small amounts of time in the same room with Bonnie behaving very nicely.... By the end of the first week, Bonnie was getting used to Olive, and stopped chasing her, or being too excited.  She hasn't really shown any aggression towards Olive, although sometimes when we are all on the sofa together Bonnie licks Olive, and it scares me for a quick second.  Olive acts like she likes it!

So with some patience everyone seems to be happy.

And Nate sure is!

And Lucy is always nearby her new friend.  I think she likes having someone her size, but I think Olive will be taller than Lu.

 But for now she loves the stolen kitty kibble, and weird toys and treats.

All of the dogs like these fishy kitty treats, I think that's part of the reason Bon has been so good lately, because she knows there are tuna and salmon treats they only get if Olive is around.

She is a great addition to our family.

And if you are wondering why in the world we have four animals now.... I should mention Anna is not doing so great.   A little over a month ago we noticed her belly was getting huge.... and we knew it wasn't puppies!  We took her in and they did an x-ray and bloodwork.  It appears she has a tumor growing on her liver.  It just keeps getting bigger and she has a big ol pot belly.  She hasn't been in pain, she eats and goes on walks....  Just in the past few days we've noticed she has really slowed down and seems to be having troubling holding her body up.  She is nearly fourteen, and we decided with the help of the vet to not intervene to try to extend things for her.  Recovery from surgery at her age would be more difficult.  

We are keeping an eye out for signs that she is in pain, and will cross that bridge when we get there.