First cat swat

went for a walk with goose and john. we walked to the overpass to see if it would be a good place to watch the bridge lighting. on the way there was an open door and a large, raggedly black tom sititng in the doorway, completely unfazed by the two dogs coming toward him. A woman in her 50's was on the sidewalk, talking to someone inside who turned out to be a woman in her eighties. We approached, and Baxter caught sight of the cat. The women weren't on guard at all, so I asked if it was okay if Baxter met the cat. Sure they said, he's a tough old guy. He's fine with dogs. He eyes Baxter with disdain as B practiced his new restraint, walking slowly, sniffing, sometimes stopping to look away (a bluff. he was shaking with excitement). The cat was curious too, and extended his own nose, still not very happy about this tail wagging loud sniffing creature (Baxter sniffs like a locomotive) But he didn't run, and baxter sniffed his way right to the kitty's nose, at which point there was a sniff, possible wetnose contact, and the cat, annoyed pulled back, but baxter didn't. He still wanted to sniff, thinking this was a dog, no doubt. Whap whap whap the cat gave him three cuffs to this nose. Baxter wasn't scared, just a little surprised, unhurt, and he kept sniffing and the cat batted and hissed again and then when baxter only paused, continuing to sniff, he took a few steps back, and crouched there, glaring. I pulled baxter away. That was enough. First official cat meeting, and I can go back and tell Wendy in no uncertain terms that he doesn't eat cats.