Don't get me wrong: I'm okay with dogs, as long as they leave me alone, or are someone else's; I, however, will never, ever own one. Some time ago, my mother ran by me the idea of dog-sitting while dog's owner was gone. Yes, she wanted to let someone leave their dog here for a while (and I think the initial timeframe was a month!). For those of you who don't see why this is a problem: I have a cat. Who's fully grown. Who's never had to share his space. I blew up when she suggested this, telling her it would be impossible and that they wouldn't get along; were it another cat, or had Gizmo ever had to share his space in his younger years, it may be possible. However, I knew my cat, and I knew what he went through in the neighbourhood: the strays and other cats were are not friendly. I thought the idea had been dropped, but yesterday, my mother tells me that the dog would be dropped off today. Dropped off. No "let's see if they get together", no "but if it doesn't work out, there are alternatives". Gizmo did not take this well. My mother, fawning over the dog, didn't give Gizmo much of a change, either: I understand hitting the cat with a broom when he attacks the dog, but if he's just growling (or whining, as it sounded), to let him be a sour puss. Eventually it was decided that we'd keep Gizmo locked in the basement (where, I remind, his litter is, and where my room is, as well). For those of you who haven't been told before: he does not take well to being locked in the basement, even with his food brought down there. This goes double if he's alone, as he wants to be near someone, even if he's not being paid attention to. This is day one, and already Gizmo looks defeated (or depressed, whichever you're more likely to believe). I still think my mother is a fool.