Many of you have asked how Steve and Maxwell are doing. And the answer is they are doing fine. We kept them segregated in a separate room for two weeks, allowing the dogs to get used to them, and then slowly integrated them. At this point, we have free range kitty all day, and they are given free run of the entire house and back yard. At night time, we put them in their crates, although once or twice we have let Maxwell stay out all night. They’re fine either way.
As to interactions with the dogs, it really is an example of how reacting differently to an environment can have different results. Maxwell is spastic, and for the first couple of weeks spent the entire time hiding and hissing at things and basically being a little punk. Curtis and Jack both completely ignored him, but Thurston, being an asshole, messed with him every time he got riled up.
Maxwell was/is most concerned about the bigger dog, Jack, who has had several cats and we have seen pictures of him lying down with a cat sleeping on top of him. Jack is completely uninterested. But Maxwell acts like the man is after him and freaks out a little every time he sees him. So Maxwell basically slinks and stalks his way through the house, blending into corners and moving under tables and basically mission impossibling the entire house.
Steve, on the other hand, the very first time he walked out of the quarantine room just walked between all three dogs and fucked off into the bedroom and climbed into a pile of clothes in the closet. Just sauntered right through them, completely and totally indifferent. Yesterday, within 30 seconds of each other I watched Maxwell do is highwire act to get around Jack who was creating a logjam near the hollway, and then Steve walked in, saw Jack, and just walked UNDERNEATH HIM to get through the hallway. Like didn’t even pause. Just walked right up and walked underneath him. I swear Jack nodded at him and the old dudes have some sort of aged bro code going on.
And before you ask, Thurston is still alive. He’s losing weight and his coat feels great and he is still a complete and total throbbing asshole.