Okay, they're not exactly lions or lambs, but it sounded better than "of dogs and cats". The symbolism remains the same. Once upon a time, we had a male Doberman named Nash (King's Nashman) and a female American Shepherd named Xena. We also had a male cat named Tucker and a female calico cat named Peepers. They were quite the happy little crew...
Our old couch was turned into the animal couch. As you can see, it was well used. That's Nash and Peepers on the left and Xena and Tucker on the right. (Click to enlarge.)
Nash considered himself a regal gentleman and wasn't above letting the cats share his space.
I pretty sure this isn't quite what he had in mind, though. Tucker is sound asleep, but underneath that leg Nash is very much awake, but too embarrassed to let anyone know.
Of the four in this silly little group, only Tucker is still around. Peepers developed complications from old age and was having violent seizures. We had to have her put down. Nash had contracted Blastomycosis (a fungal infection) when he was just a puppy and we battled it on and off his whole life. Later, we had to have one of his back legs amputated because the Blasto was in his bone. A few days after surgery, we learned he had a blood condition that prevented his blood from clotting properly. They couldn't stop the bleeding from his amputation and we had to put him down. Xena also contracted Blasto, later in life, and it took one of her eyes and got into her chest. She eventually passed away from the infection.
After Tucker lost his three running mates, we decided he needed some company. He now spends his days hanging out with his Maine Coon buddy, Gunny.
