Advice urgently needed - old thread, new topic!

Thank you all for this. I will comment on each post, but before I do I have just remember something that happened just after Christmas which made me want to go round there and knock their heads off.

Kitty was wandering round the garden and people were throwing snowballs at each other. A man (now know as A***hole and is also the neighbours boyfriend) made a huge snowball and threw it at the cat. She darted over the yard onto a fence. I then witnessed the bboyfriend pick up a large picket fence panel and launched it at the cat. It missed thankfully but the poor thing was lucky. The bloke then turned to see me watching and waved. He saw me shaking my head in disgust and then pointed to me so all his mates started laughing at me. Not a good way to start with me. He still doesn't talk to me now but I didn't tell the neighbour what he'd done. I'm still disgusted in the man.

Ok, will reply to your posts. My pooch is cat friendly. I had a cat until she died last year. Poochie is now 3 years old and knows how to treat them. When off his lead he doesn't chase the neighbourhood cats, just watches them.

Jackie, I would love to have her in overnight but I'm not sure how I'd go about this. Poochie stays downstairs and is locked out of the living room. He has the hallway and the kitchen so has plenty of space. No doubt the cat wouldn't be happy with that and would come upstairs. I suppose leaving the spare bedroom door open would solve that problem, it's what we did with our cat, but OH couldn't argue with me back then because I had her when we met. I don't want poochie to think kitty is getting special treatment. My dog comes first. The hard part would be asking the neighbours if it was ok but then again I doubt they'd notice as they're in bed when I go to bed (late sleeper)

Mrcol, you've just given me the answer I didn't want to hear, but it was also the sole reason I started a thread. You're right, and I don't for a minute think it would take the RSPCA long to find her a home. She's absolutely gorgeous, dog, cat and child friendly. I guess I'd feel better if she had a good home. Maybe it's a good idea to do as both you and Jackie have suggested, jackie first of course.

Paddy, I love your optimism. I guess it could be as easy as that. OH doesn't really like cats but he'll be the first to admit that it's the old cat that put him off. She was very withdrawn and before she died she was very nasty and unpleasant. This cat is different. When we met he didn't like dogs but he adores our poochie. (who wouldn't, see "pictures of your animals" thread, there's a pic of him on there)

Panda, thank you for commenting. I'll see if she's out again tonight and keep that bed nice and warm for her. If she is, then I shall do as both you and Jackie have said. I don't want to jump in with both feet and get burned :-)

Onto FC, who's posts I read with interest and often agree with. You are a very well respected member of this forum and I'm glad you commented. The cat is most definately neglected. Her food consists of a few biscuits thrown on top of the little shed they house their tumble dryer in. When we first moved in her coat was fantastically soft with no dirt or mats. At first she was in overnight but in the owners words, since they got the puppy she can't be kept inside at all because she doesn't know what will happen. I'd be more worried about the puppy getting hurt as I know cats know how to stand up for themselves but at the same time, this pup really is bonkers and growling and barking can often be heard when both of the dogs are on the garden. The puppy jumps all over the old dog but the old dog doesn't like it. He tries to put the puppy off and often snaps or bites at him to warn him. You can tell the old dog isn't happy with the puppy. There is absoutely no doubt in my mind that the cat is neglected. The puppy's ribs are showing too clearly but that may be because he burns off more energy than he's getting into him. Like all young dogs they're very active. I will keep an eye on the puppy. (a couple of weeks ago they had friends round, and they all took it in turn to cover him with felt pen spots. They still haven't come off. I expect this behaviour from kids, not adults. Puppy is white btw). One thing I must point out is that I am a sucker for a sob story. I stole the cat who died from an ex boyfriend. He left her out all day and night, didn't feed her and I snapped when I went to see her one day and she was all skin and bone and had lost half of her fur. I couldn't hack it and he kicked up a bit of a fuss but left her with me. It's a long story but back then she had a choice on who to live with and she chose me!

Crikey, this is a long post!! MzFitz, thank you for your comment about your experience. Has given me even more to think about. Would I be happier letting her go to RSPCA or would I be pleased if she stayed with us? I watch Animal planet a lot and wish we were in America, the ASPCA know how to deal with owners, they have guns :-)

Onto lowis, I think I'll wait for OH to get back from work and ask him to support me. I needed your advice and I'm pleased you've all responded. Just goes to show we are a nation of animal lovers!!

Will keep you updated.

I wish I could thank you all more than once :-)