Famous for being rivals, the dog-cat relationship has been a hot topic going on for ages now. It’s a story repeatedly told about how the two species can’t be friends, nor tolerate each other. But as real dog lovers know, our dog buddies, even though tough in nature, still have huge and soft hearts to love any creature they cross paths with — including the feline kind.
It looks like the dogs who need love the most are also those that have so much to give. Mack is a Pitbull-Labrador mix who had an unlucky beginning. The sweet-faced pup now lives happily with his human, Analisa Trstensky. But according to her, Mack had not always been so fortunate.
When Mack was just one-and-a-half years old, he already suffered a lifelong’s worth of wounds and scars — both inside and outside. However, Analisa didn’t know about this until a few months after the adoption. The poor Mack had scars on his face and elbows, while his knees were scabbed over from being laid in the dirt. She knew it was bad, but didn’t realize how really bad it was.
Analisa shared that Mack together with his brother was tied on a tree without much food or water. The owner tried to rehome them, but somehow, the pups kept coming back. The shelter finally decided to step in. A little later, his brother got adopted, but Mack was tagged as aggressive and was listed to be euthanized.
A shelter employee named Chris noticed that even though the pup was aggressive, he was also very scared. So, Chris intervene and asked the kennel for the possibility to work with the dog before any decisions were made.
For four months, Chris helped Mack learn how to trust and overcome his inhibitions. The pup made huge improvements while in Chris’s care, and almost right after he joins his foster home, his forever human saw him online.
Analisa Trstensky, and Bowser, her cat, live a busy life in Tallahassee. But she grew up in a household fond of animals, which explains why she has a soft spot for Mack. At first, she thought she didn’t have time for a new pup. Yet, after reading Mack’s heartwarming story on a Facebook post, she decided to contact the foster mom to adopt him.
Although Analisa instantly felt a strong connection with the pup, she was a little worried about her cat, Bowser. So, Mack still needs to pass the Bowser-test. The cat living in a feral colony in Analisa’s hometown had once been known as a “little wild man”. She was unsure about how the two would get along — the best she wished for is a tough adjustment at first followed by a loving friendship.
But to her surprise, the two adjusted with each other in less than 24 hours and treated each other like family! The next day, Analisa woke up with both of them sleeping on top of her. Not cuddling each other, but she considered it a pretty solid start! Now, Mack and Bowser snuggle with each other more than they cuddle Analisa.
Analisa also often fosters tiny kittens in her home. And Mack, having this charm for cats, seemed very interested in helping her raise them. Regardless of his size, he is a very gentle and loving dog.
Mack and Bowser taught us to love anyone no matter what species they are. The two proved to us that dogs and cats, even from two different kinds, can be best of friends.
Setting aside Mack’s wounds from the past, he became the happiest dog with the right company. Analisa and Bowser had it right in helping him heal and live the life he deserves.
Lastly, thanks to Chris, Mack found a new home and a happy family.
Source: bowserandmack on Instagram
