My sister has a beautiful Husky; he's very playful, energetic, and hyperactive. He goes to all the family gatherings and every outing. We're a small but close knit family, and we always make plans to get together, even if it's just to watch movies at home. Now I have a cat, about four months old, rescued from the street; he's very skittish.

Two weeks ago, my sister came over with her dog, and I had to put the cat in the bedroom because he was nervous and, as any cat would, hissed at the dog. The dog obviously tried to approach him very aggressively to sniff him and even barked at him once. I know there are families who have both dogs and cats and they live together peacefully.

We both want to be able to be in the same place with our pets without one hurting the other. Snow (the dog) isn't aggressive, and I know he wouldn't hurt the cat out of malice, but a swipe with his paw could hurt him. Ironically, most people have pointed out to me that it's actually the cat who might do more harm to the dog, scratching his face or something similar, since cats are a bit more aggressive and intolerant when their space is violated and they feel threatened.

I think they should be introduced gradually, while others say I should put them both in the same place and let them sort things out on their own. That really scares me. I'm reading your opinions.