...and this is why I don't have pets. And register as "cold hearted bitch" on tests and such. Because I would. I mean, sure I'd ask my friends if they want the pets, and I'd put an ad on craigslist, and I'd tell the person whose pets they originally were that this was the plan, and I'd probably give some extra leeway, but...

Yeah. And if the BF were doing it, I'm enough of a bitch that I would say "I put an ad on Craigslist. If the pets aren't gone in ten days, you take them to the shelter. If you can't do that, I move out. I will cry and cry, in my new apartment. Without you."

Cause coldhearted bitch=I still feel, I just let my brain do the decisionmaking, not my heart.

[EDIT: Please note I am not in ANY way saying this is what Steph should do. Just saying this is me, and this is why I am not Steph!!!]

Meara is me. Well, except for the part where she let them in in the first place.

---

Tep, you might just want to tell the Boy: "Let's be clear. I need some boundaries and I need you to help set them some time. I understand this is a special and unusual situation, but this has to be the exception and this can't end with more animals living with us permanently. There's a time limit on it, and that's about all I can handle. I understand that there are people in your life that you want to extend this courtesy to. I'm just saying that had needs to be a short list and this is the exception not the rule."

I totally agree. And if I said that to The Boy, *he* would totally agree.

And then, if it happened that Friend couldn't take pets back, the "time limit" would keep getting extended, bit by bit by bit by bit, because The Boy is too kind-hearted.

Which balances me out well, since I'm a stone bitch.

---

Even if this kid lives in a crack house, it would take a LOT of work to make it uninhabitable for animals. More work than most burglars have the time or inclination to engage in. Animals don't need a pristine environment--as long as there is running water and the windows close, they'll be fine.

Copper theft is HUGE right now. You know, like copper pipes? That make the water run?

And sort of boggle at the fact that he doesn't have a tank for the lizard at home? (Or just couldn't transport it?)

He does have a tank for the lizard at home. Well, it's more like a huge plexiglass corral/tank that's, IIRC, 5 feet long. The tank we managed to borrow....is not 5 feet long. I think the lizard is going to be really cramped and unhappy. And....not my fault. Not my responsibility.

All I can think is what a huge inconvenience this is, and The Boy keeps saying how fun it's going to be to have extra pets. Yeah, fun right up until they all start marking their territory.

---

Good luck, Teppy. I hope you don't have to make any tough decisions and the kid comes back, gets his pets and lives happily ever after.

Friend needs to spay the cat. Period. I'd be willing to donate to that fund.

---

Friend is not deliberately taking advantage, in a malicious way; he just has no structure whatsoever to his life. And that's fine, until his lack of structure fucks up MY structured life. He's thoughtless in a can-think-only-about-himself way, not a how-can-I-screw-my friend way, although the upshot is essentially the same -- because he's thoughtless and has arranged his life so as to have very little responsibility, it's led to problems following in his wake, which he leaves for other people to clean up. Which I have a sinking suspicion is going to happen here.

Might I suggest the book Boundaries?

Because facilitating this guy's irresponsible behavior may not actually be a kind-hearted thing.

---

Friend needs to spay the cat. Period. I'd be willing to donate to that fund.

Cat is spayed. The Boy paid to have the cat spayed back when Friend left it with The Boy for a year.

Might I suggest the book Boundaries?

Because facilitating this guy's irresponsible behavior may not actually be a kind-hearted thing.

I'm right there with you. But it's not my call, unfortunately. And The Boy won't turn down his ex's son. The Boy seems to think it'll all be fine. And who knows? Maybe it will be. But Friend just doesn't have the best track record.

I should stop talking about this, because it's just getting me more and more annoyed.

---

Cat is spayed. The Boy paid to have the cat spayed back when Friend left it with The Boy for a year.

Whew. I do hope it works out with little stress for you, Tep.

---

as long as there is running water and the windows close, they'll be fine.

Well, and I figure if someone breaks in, they probably break a window or door, and you have to like, board that up or something. Drama and problems.

---

{{{{ASKYE}}}} I've never done this, but I saw it on CSI, so it must be true. Sounds like if spawn-dude is there, mix him a drink and squirt visine into it. According to CSI, it gives ya the shits something fierce. It might keep him occupied. What? I'm not bad! I'm just drawn that way.

It seems to be really fashionable to hate LA or to say it’s a terrible place to live, so it’s really nice to hear someone not from here say it could be home, even if it isn’t your first choice.

My family was raised to think LA was "Lousy Angeles". I've found it quite the opposite. It has it's quirks, but so what. I do love the weather. And the easy to find international food flavors. And the Getty!

---

I might investigate a kennel. - 10 days is the plan - disaster / delay getting home add 5 days - then think about 10 days in a kennel - to be the over generous friend - and give everyone time to come up with a plan. You might want to let yourself be 'talked into' this plan if things come up

But honestly, it is not likely to happen that the house gets that hurt

Breathe

---