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Makes sense, Sharon. Was thinking I could do some in home work re: the barking/whining but reality is definitely setting in. I have a cat also, Benson will try to chase him at times, but nothing like with this "new" cat.

I think the cat has a home, he is clean, shiny coat, not too thin or dirty but he is young he is intact and so I often wonder if he was "let go" as males tend to spray. My yard is completely fenced so not sure how he got in but he sure as heck isn't trying to get out.

Anyway, I think my original plan of one week to keep him may be unrealistic. I may take him in next week to the vet to get his shots, etc (whatever the vet recommends re: testing) and go from there. I just cannot bring myself to drop him off at animal services, not yet, not after reading their stats from last year of having 1800 cats and 1100 had to be euthanize. It's a reality, I know, but it hits me to hard in the heart.

I shall see if I can keep up the leashing of Benson outside, and try to tone down the barking/whining/instinctual yearnings I need to be fair to all the animals and the humans

Did i mention I HATE IRRESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS. Harsh I know, but I have no tolerance. Even if he has ahome and they are missing him........he could die cuz my dog could kill him and I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT???? not fair!! okay venting over

I have been trying to work him with the head turns and leave it, starting at the door. Benson is so worked up knowing the cat is even outside, he goes "crazy" just at the door. So I am starting at the door with sit/wait/focus for a few minutes or longer (depending how stimmed he is, the more stimmed, the longer the wait until he looks more relaxed), then I release (he is on leash with prong). We step onto the deck, go to the end of it, sit wait focus on me. This goes pretty well. Long story short, it is a challenge once we leave the deck, it's "good" I guess, because it tells me where we need HUGE work but the sessions are so short still before we go back in the house . He doesn't see the cat but he sure knows where he is and he starts the whining, quivering and will give quick head turns to me but then back to the garage and so on. At first, he pulled me so hard even with the prong adn I wasn't ready for it (not sure why...duh on my part). Not good for the back

Do I think he will kill the cat, YES. He actually caught him on day two and it was horrifying for me (and my poor son). The cat escaped, he was bouncing, jumping like a rabbit to get away. I was yelling drop it, leave it, whatever I could think of....I'd like to think he listened but more likely than not, it was the cat's twisting and turning and jumping that got himself loose. Benson "tolerates" our current cat, but Krammer (cat) can fend for himself but mostly stays away. Benson will chase if given the opportunity, but I am able to prevent that most times (I'd say 95%).

Anyway, I will continue to work the head turns and leave it as I look at it as an opportunity. We have been successful with Mother May I on most things but a situation like this is an eye opener as to know where the "holes" are and that's kinda good I think. It gives us a challenge.

Keeping the cat isn't an option. As it is I cannot find a place that will take/rent to me with Benson, Gary is "letting" us stay here until things get sorted out, adding a cat to the list will make things harder (Gary will keep current cat as it is "his" cat). My main goal is keeping the peace with all as best I can.

At the very least, I take the cat in for his shots on Thursday and hopefully neuter the following week and I will board him at vets until recoup is over. He can stay under the garage after that until I can find a home for him....if no home is found, then I will have to consider A.S. or something (our humane society won't take strays)

Thanks, I will keep you posted on our work. It's not as easy as our last few challenges , but I do get a little excited to "work" this situation and hopefully progress to at least getting down half the yard with focus and head turns.