concerned about adopting friends doxie
 

My out of town friend is moving and needs to find a new home for her 3 year old dashound Lilly. My daughter Kelsey just bought a home and will be moving out next month with her two cats. Kelsey is thinking of adopting Lilly but isn't sure how Lilly and the cats will do together. We decided to have my friend bring Lilly to spend the weekend with us and see there is a good fit.

After a 2 1/2 hour drive Lilly arrived. We have two dogs, and Kelsey's 2 cats. I know it was not the best situation to introduce a new animal, but there were no other options. Lilly did fine with my yorkie, and shorkie. Lilly was very leary of us humans, and very protective of her owner.

After several hours we had Kelsey take Lilly over her boyfriends. One so she could spend some quiet time with Lilly, and also so Lilly wouldn't have to see her owner leave.

It went great over at the boyfriends. They played, and Lilly went to sleep on Kelsey's lap. They came back home and she crated Lilly for the night.

After I fed and took my two outside this morning I went to get Lilly out of the crate to take her out. She started to come out of the crate, saw it was me, growled and snapped at me, and went back into the crate. Kelsey came over and she came right out for her. Kelsey took her outside, and then back to bed.

I have concerns if this is a good idea for Kelsey to adopt her.

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I know Lilly is going to need time to adjust, but I'm worried about her and the cats. Last night one of the cats came into the room, and Lilly took off after her. She has never been around a cat, and I'm not she is going to like them.

Also, when she was on her owners lap last night and Kelsey approached Lilly, she growled and snapped. I know she was being protective of her owner, but I'm worried about her temperament.

I don't like the growling, or snapping. I know this is a big adjustment period, but I have concerns that Lilly is too aggressive. I am going to call her owner in a little while to ask her more questions about Lilly;s behavior. I have never had a dog that acted out like that, and it worries me. Our first priority has to be Kelsey's cats. I don't want to bring an animal into the family that would hurt them, or make their lives miserable.

I'll let you know what I find out about her personality.

Have any of you been in this situation? I'd like your feed back, or suggestions. I know a weekend isn't long to assess the situation, but I thought it would give us a good indication if they could all get along together.

I spoke with her owner and she said Lilly has never growled or snapped at anyone, and she was be really stressed out.

She is fine with the dogs. She went up to one of the cats, and he hissed at her and Lilly backed off. Lilly went back a little later and Kelsey told her "no" and she left the cat alone. That was an encouraging sign for me as far as the cats are concerned.

Later my two daughters were on the bed talking and Lilly snapped at my other daughters face. I just don't feel good about this. I understand she is scared, but I don't like that she is reacting with aggression. She is very protective of Kelsey, and I don't think she liked my other daughter being that close. I know a few days isn't enough time to tell how she would act after she adjusts, but I don't want to get more attached to her when I have a feeling this isn't going to work out. I think she would be better of in a house with no other animals.