Actually, I used to have a dog and that was great too. She was a Samoyed, so this weather really wiped her out. About the only thing good about her long coat, in this weather, was that she was white and would have gotten hotter if she was dark. This silly cat is quite a case. His mother got sick when he was only a few days old. She was a feral cat in the neighborhood. The other kittens died and this one we found howling. He was, honestly, the size of a mouse. We fed him by bottle for weeks. When he started ripping the nipple off it, we decided he was weaned. The name Topolino is "little mouse" in Italian, a language my wife studies. The Stromboli comes from a volcanic island we visited in Italy. So we raised him like mom and dad cat and, due to that, he is more like a dog in some ways than a cat. Not as independent as the cats usually are but certainly some of that in him. He kind of reminds me of a dog, except the dog never looked you in the eye from seven feet above.

Maureen,

 For some reason everyone says he looks goofy. I tend to agree.

Steve

Marlene,I like your work and Mr T Stromboli could learn from you.  If you will send me your address, I will send Mr Stromboli down to you "airmail". He would be able to help with the blogging and bookkeeping for a few weeks, but you will need to have an A/C unit to keep him productive. Being in SoCal that is probably something you have to offer him that I do not.

David,

Reading your comments I really want to be manly and righteously indignant. I want to drive to your house and set your straight. However, the cat has just about got the payroll checks done on quickbooks and he says I have to hang around to sign his check so he can pay his cell phone bill.

Steve

Thanks Deborah,

If the "rat boy" as he is affectionately known was worthy of a gold star it might make up for his poor work ethic. Otherwise I think I am going to have to send him down to Labor Ready to see if they can find some sucker who appreciates paying a sleeping employee.

Jo-Anne,

Thanks for the comments. I am currently involved in yet more turmoil with this whelp. I may be posting a followup blog.

This is to all of you who, through AR and privately, gave me advice on dealing with this serious personnel issue that I shared with you.

I really appreciate all the suggestions and comments I got from various Active Rain members. As some wisely suggested, I had a long discussion with Mr. Topolino Stromboli about his role with this company, his future in it, our obligation to our clients and my expectations. I had thought that that formula had worked. For a few hours he was actually quite on the ball and tending to business. However, today while I was working on a project for Bellingham Technical College, I noticed that the office phone was ringing and it was not being answered. So I go out to see where the employee might be. The photos attached show that, despite my valiant efforts to save his job, I am the rube. I think he is playing me for the fool.

Caught, in the act, lounging and reading pulp fiction

Not threatening the boss -- plain and simple case of lazy employee yawning and sleeping on the job

Jo-anne,

Are the two in the photo your assistants? If so maybe we can organize an employers union to try to get some honest, productive work out of this feline pestilence. The assistant is here tonight, about to bat the mouse onto the floor. He also rips FAX's out of the FAX (seriously) the problem is he runs off with them and does not always give them to me. I find them with the corner chewed. He is more of a clown than a cat. If you accept COD shipping he is on the way Monday. By the way, I would never find a female cat that would marry him. He cannot even provide for himself.

Deborah,

You are another late night blogger. I have got to get some sleep. In answer to your question, I take my work seriously for myself and clients but like to have fun here at AR and, in general, in my private life.

Yes,

I actually find it kind of relaxing to play on active rain after my primary work is done. Sometimes I am up too late though.

Deborah,

 When those of us who teach home inspection for BTC go out for dinner in Bellingham, that is what Charlie Buell wants to do--get the fish at Boss Tweed. We have some good seafood places here. I have been to the peninsula, but not to the lavender festival. I assume that is the scented plant you are admiring and not an event where everyone, including the crazy canucks who bust the border, dress in lavender and stroll about.

Jo-Anne,

I think I better keep him. I think his sloppy work would get you in trouble. Seriously, based on what I have described, do you want him scanning your agreements for E/O issues. They are likely to be one big error. He would like a blank page as well as a full one. Good chewing. Glad I Email reports.

Deborah,

Lots of the places that brag about seafood are not that good. That is typical of a waterfront town. Visitors expect great seafood so every Tom, Dick and Harry opens a marginal place. There are good places with seafood in the area, but you have to know them. Those bragging about it as their specialty might be among the poorest. Charlie is a fellow I teach with, and on AR but not too active. The post I made yesterday, of the creepy snake, is a Charlie picture.