re: Gross butt stuff
Also sorry to Fiona for having to launch her into space by standing up so quickly
Home automation is addictive. https://youtu.be/GEzecPefWDE
Werner, on the other hand, did way better, and he even enjoyed being introduced to one of my neighbors and didn't freak out at all! He's gotten really mellow in his old age.
Aging cat woes
So for a couple of years, Werner’s been having issues with the litter box; namely he’ll get into the box and then pee, then he thinks he’s done and starts to leave, then the poop starts coming out, leaving a trail from the litter box to wherever he’s going. Depending on how constipated he is the radius of impact can vary quite widely; sometimes he makes it all the way into my living room before it comes out.
In the new house I have a clear line of sight to the litter box from my desk and fairly often I can see when he’s doing this. When the poop starts to actually come out he pauses and clenches (quite comically) and if I see him do this while leaving the box I can rush over and either try to hold him in the box, or hold the litter scoop under his butt until he finishes, at which point he relaxes and runs on his happy little way.
Unfortunately, lately he’s gotten wise to this utter indignity, and he’ll make a token effort to push out a turd or two while I’m trying to keep him in place, then he relaxes and runs off... under a couch or my bed, where he finishes pooping.
Fiona's been especially frustrating about wanting to go outside despite having been an indoor cat for the last 9 years, so today I finally found her leash and harness and put it on her. She was so excited to go outside! Then she took two steps out the door, then a car drove by and she was NNNOOOOOOPE.
Seattle-based music/code/comics critter. Vaguely friend-shaped. Fibro-spoony, queer, ADHD, and anxious as heck. Handle with care.