Cats and Dogs

Cats and Dogs don't mix.  We are staying at my parents house to keep an eye on my elderly Grandma who lives in her own apartment in my parents house. Anyway my parents' two cats have met our dog Echo. The meetings weren't planned and the cats started it. Felix the shy cat came down the stairs to the family room and everything seemed ok. They were checking each other out from a distance well then all hell broke loose, fur was raised and a screech was heard. Our Echo who hides behind us when another dog passes (large or small) went from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds and went after Felix. My quick reflexes went into action and got everyones attention. Felix went behind the end table and chair, Echo stood in the middle of the room with a "what?" look on her face.  Rich went for Echo and I went for Felix to get him away from the situation. Felix ran downstairs and I shut the door behind him. Rich decided to try and teach Echo sit and stay. That only went so far. While that was going on, I hear Oliver, the other cat, looking to come out from his location (which was not where he was supposed to be not that really matters). I moved the door and he came running out to the kitchen where the staring contest began.  After eyeing each other for about 5 minutes, I picked up Oliver and walked him into the family room in my arms (yes probably pretty stupid, but I've been scratched before). I stood with him in my arms and then went down to the ground where Echo was so they could see each other. Echo smelled Oliver's butt and Oliver didn't really like that but dealt with it.  I got as far as letting Oliver go and having Echo free, but only for a few minutes since I had to sit in the middle of them so I could catch them if they went for each other. Rich took Echo and I let Oliver go, Oliver was getting tired so he went into the kitchen and we wouldn't let Echo go in there. Oliver in the end went downstairs and Echo was left with Oliver's scent on my shirt which he took much interest in.

All in all Dogs and Cats don't mix, but they should met since they are apart of my family and are very important to me.