Look, I've managed people as part of my job for quite some time now. It's a rollercoaster experience every day.
And yes, I've resorted to that weenie method of managing the hard conversations...email.
Hey, oftentimes, it actually works. You can disseminate the issue to a large audience with the click of a button. You don't actually have to, you know, talk to anyone.
Plus, it gives you a trail. Proof that you told people something!
Anyhow, I've been wrestling with The Feline lately. Damn employee of the household has a mind of her own! Feh!
Herewith, the email I'd write to that damn cat if only she had opposable thumbs...and the ability to get online.
_________________
From: TheGirlHuman@thisoldhouse.net
Subject: Recent Issues for discussion
Date: October 22, 2009 8:35 AM PDT
To: CrankyCat@meow.net
Feline - As you and I have been sharing domicile for some time now, I feel we've both settled into our routines and know what we're about.
Things have been slipping a bit lately, and we have some issues we need to discuss. Please bring a copy of this email to our next one-on-one (aka the next time you are standing on my head, sniffing my dinner while I try to eat). We'll sort out a corrective action plan at that time.
First things first, as you know, you are fed at 8am, 5pm (snack) and 10pm. This has been in effect for some time. You were notified of these changes before they took effect.
Yes, we are giving you diet food. Remember when the vet explained why, Ms Fourteen Pounder?
As such, the yowling for feeding well in advance of any of the set times is unacceptable and this behavior must be curtailed.
This is especially true of the 4am yowlings. This only causes the boy human to throw pillows at you, and usually leads to your banishment from the room, which then produces hurt feelings and sad looks on your part for an entire day.
Please implement these process improvements immediately.
While on the topic of the sleeping situation, we must also address a space issue. As you know, the Boy Human and the Girl Human are soft hearted and allow you to sleep in the bed.
It's also agreeable that you take certain liberties, like sleeping up ON me while I snooze. Fine.
Here's the issue. Being as that I was graced with a bladder the size of a small walnut, it's inevitable that I must rise at least once a night to use the human version of the litter box.
When nature calls, I carefully extract from around you so as not to disturb your slumber. Then when I return, I find you have streeeetched out to fill up the space allotted me in the bed. Sometimes, you even have a proprietary paw placed on the Boy Human.
I then have to push and shove you so I can get back into the bed and next to the boy. You respond by meowing testily at me.
This is uncool, cat. Way uncool.
Finally, while on the topic of usage of the litter box, human or otherwise, I'd like to mention that I can and am able to use the human litter box on my own.
I don't need your company.
When you use YOUR box, do I run in there to stare at you and then get on the counter and sniff at your head and face while you do your business?
No, I do not.
Please cease and desist.
Immediately.
That said, your work in the sitting on the lap department has improved dramatically lately (coinciding, I'm sure, with the turn toward the cold the weather has taken, but fine).
Also, since you've been able to lose some weight, your playful kittenish-ness is rather enjoyable.
Keep it up!
Thanks in advance for your attention to these matters.
Best regards,
The Girl Human
(Execu-Kitty ignores your emails)
