Roomie’s tired of scooping cat poop
Q.I’m in my early 30s and have been living with a roommate for a couple of years. It helped me afford going to school in the past. Now I’m a working career woman, but she’s still in school and doesn’t work in the summer.
I knew when I moved in with her that she had a cat. She soon bought a second cat. I’m not a cat person but I’m tolerant of them.
However, lately she’s been going away frequently, for several days at a stretch.
I don’t mind taking care of her cats for a night or two, but she just expects me to be the catsitter while she’s away.
I’m gone for work from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. I like going to the gym, visiting friends and staying overnight at my boyfriend’s house.
Recently, she said she’s going away for a week to the East coast.
When I said that I might not be around while she’s away and that should get a plan B person for the times I’m not available, she got defensive.
She said she only has a couple of friends in town, and they’re both way too busy to check in on her cats.
We live downtown where it’s not difficult for someone to stop by for 30 minutes to feed them and clean their litter box.
I don’t think it’s fair for her to use me as a live-in catsitter.
The reason I don’t have pets is because I don’t want the responsibility.
Am I justified in feeling a bit used? Or is taking care of my roommate’s cats five to seven nights a month just part of the responsibilities of being a roommate?
How do I tell her that I simply don’t want to scoop her kitties’ litter boxes anymore?!
A. You’re being used. Speak up. Occa- sional two-to-three day stints are part of sharing a home but you still need to be asked.
If you were also planning to be away that weekend, she gets another friend or hires a catsitter (she can apparently afford the trips, so the cat is part of that expense).
Seize this chance to expand
Q. I’m a young professional in my late 20s, with a strong career trajectory in Toronto.
I have applied to the MBA program at several schools close to home, which have outstanding reputations in Canada, and have also applied to “what if ” schools in other regions in the United States.
I’ve worked extremely hard to study and prepare my applications, and have been accepted at all the schools where I applied, with significant scholarships.
Now I’m choosing between going to a school closer to family (we’re a tight-knit group), or going to the US.
The U.S. presents more exciting opportunities — riskier but more rewarding.
A Canadian school seems a safer choice since I can return to the company I work for after my graduation.
I’ve never lived on my own since I come from a background where kids stay longer with their parents than North American customs.
How do I realistically make a good logical choice?
A. Go where the opportunities and exposures are greater, also where the school’s degree unlocks the most doors.
The success you’re sure to have given your accomplishments so far will also guarantee that your Canadian company will rehire you if you decide to resettle near your family later.
But this is your chance to expand your knowledge of the world and of your field in other major centres — exposure that will make you a valuable asset to companies in many locales.
It’s easy enough to stay connected to your family through Skype and email but use the security they gave you to grow on your own.