Could a cat and dog get along together? We didn't know when we brought Jack home. Panda our dog was extremely jealous and barked at poor Jack incessantly. Jack in turn would hiss and snarl at Panda.

I roped in my artist uncle and aunt who were our local animal whisperers. They own dogs, cats, chickens, free range sparrows, saved injured wildlife such as mongooses, snakes, porcupines- and managed to tame them. Uncle taught me to slowly expose Panda and Jack together, first by sound, then by sight (separated by railings), and gradually by scent, exchanging their towels and foodmugs to familiarise themselves and break down the predator-prey instinct. Uncle also taught me to train Panda not to growl at Jack (who was considerably smaller and weaker), through distraction and classical conditioning. 

After much patience and training, Jack and Panda slowly accepted each other- they transitioned from enemies to argumentative couple, then to bickering siblings who put up with each other but enjoyed doing things together. Most of all, they had a common love- ME, their animal mummy. Both dog and cat followed me everywhere around the house. It was really cute to open the door in the morning to find Jack and Panda waiting outside, begging for food or begging to come in. Or sitting together with me in the darkness or the wee hours of the morning before I return to work in Singapore.

It was common to hear my mother disciplining or scolding either Panda or Jack for bullying or irritating each other. Panda pushes Jack away in his quest to get his food first, like a snotty older brother; while Jack would swipe his paws and growl at Panda when Panda sniffs his body (Jack's physical space is sacred to him). However, both remained siblings and buddies. Both enjoyed walks together in the garden, stealing food from the kitchen, and slept together outside my bedroom window at night.