Jess versus The Tabby Patrol: Round 1!

For keen studiers of Group Dynamics, I offer the following:

Young Jess, a Maltese / Shitzu amalgamation, is the most recent addition to the burgeoning Keats household. The better-established pet-like household members are Feisty Mae and Psycho, two feline entities known collectively as The Tabby Patrol, as depicted below.

Feisty (female) is 15, Psych (male) is about 6. They usually agree to disagree, but have recently become united by the presence of a common irritant.

Jess is facinated by the cats, who are correspondingly less than enamoured of her attentions. In the fashion of the smaller, woofier types of dog, Jess approaches the cats enthusiastically and in a bouncy manner. The cats seek less active contact, and usually move in the general direction of away as Jess approaches.

East is East and West is West, however, occasionally the twain doth meet, and on such occasions Jess has duly found herself upon the receiving end of feline paws judiciously applied to the canine head.

To today's bout...

As I write, Jess is beside me, on the floor. Seeking shelter from the winter rain, The Tabby Patrol have entered the building, and assumed positions on the family room couches - which are located on either side of me. Jess is beside herself with joy at the appearance of her new friends (although she still hasn't worked out exactly what sort of dogs they are..), and is duly bouncing between them. And therein lies the problem...

To reach the rest of the house, Jess must pass through the narrow space between the two couches. Psych is lying on one couch. As Jess approaches, a paw raises, and she withdraws. She moves closer to the other couch, and The Feisty One, perched on an armrest, extends a similarly not-so-friendly paw in her direction.

Jessica finds herself torn by the fundemental dilemmna - she seeks the companionship of her humans, the sustenance offered by the food bowl, and the relief of the litter tray; but realises that - should she choose to traverse the path between the couches, frenzied blows from feline paws shall rain down upon her as The Tabby Patrol tag-team upon her canine butt.

What to do? AHHHH... Inspiration strikes! Jess goes under the couch. Peace and contentment are hers as the frustrated Tabby Patrol glance at each other questioningly, and drift off into the Sleep Of Those Who Don't Really Care...