56 Comments

The Sea Hag Luxery Apartments 😂😂 You should send your nemesis a card at Christmas with a family photo snapped at the dog park with Shaddow & pink leash in tow! Tis the neighborly thing to do is it not?

Expand full comment

Now that’s an awesome idea!! It is going on the To-Do list 😂😂

Expand full comment

Yes! 😂🎄 And, please keep us updated with any nemesis developments!

Expand full comment

Cats are underestimated by many. Dogs are ok. I’ve met a few I like. I’ve never met a cat I disliked. Nice basic black model you have there.

Expand full comment

Oh no, there are unlikeable cats. That is how I started out.

Expand full comment

That’s on you.

Expand full comment

I don't know whether to feel sorry for the guy, or to not waste my time feeling sorry for the guy for his baffling behaviour!

We're often away in our campervan, and many fellow campers have dogs in tow. I was surprised and deeply impressed to see a couple walking their two cats on leads at a campsite recently - it's not a sight I see often, and it was awesome!

And kudos to you for this: "I dream of a day when I can make excuses NOT to go to the exercise room." That's the kind of intention I can get behind! 🤣

Expand full comment

Very funny! There will always be haters, and the good thing is - inspiration for your writing!!!

Expand full comment

That's how I see it, I love this inspiration! :-)

Expand full comment

That nemesis! Strait to jail!!!! I don't understand how people don't like cats! They are a menace, I get it. But so are dogs! Any revenge plans??

Expand full comment

I’m going to stop trying to say hi to him!! Megan Lee had a great idea above 😂😅

Expand full comment

The card is a nice idea 😅😅

Expand full comment

I think I’ve solved this mystery! Maybe your nemesis erroneously thought you were the “I can’t live like an animal at the zoo!” guy and he was offended, like hold-a-grudge offended, since I’m sure everyone in the building hates that guy. Do you look anything like that drama queen?

Expand full comment

Hahah, no tho! The Animal In The Zoo guy was at our last apartment building 😁 Although Elyse above had a good idea that he was afraid I hexed him since he was a black cat…. 🐈‍⬛

Expand full comment

Too bad, I was so proud of myself for thinking of this and assuming I’d connected the dots. Back to the drawing board!

Expand full comment

I could ask him… but I’m afraid of the answer… and him. (they found a skeletonized human body about 100 yards from here up in the woods last month. Yikes.😬 )

Expand full comment

Wait what? Really?!?

Expand full comment

I know!! The mystery deepens (and I don’t think they figured out who the dead person was yet)

Expand full comment

I should write a book about this! Is there a news story? I’m gonna look this up.

Expand full comment

Oh my goodness, several of this guy's absolute soul-twins live in my tiny town. Aaaaaargh, what is the deal with people sometimes?!? So funny, though, you did a hilarious job unfolding this story, thanks for that 🤣

Expand full comment

LOL! Why are they like this??

Thanks, Sydney!

Expand full comment

Walk on. Both of you!

Expand full comment

"I dream of a day when I can make excuses NOT to go to the exercise room." Hahaha. This is so sad, yet hilarious.

Expand full comment

Mostly sad LOL! :-)

Expand full comment

Maybe it was the dog. Some owners and their companions develop a link that is almost psychic, communicating with no more than a slight gesture or a look. Maybe his dog looked at at Shadow and thought, "Oh no, it's one of THOSE. And in a pink leash. Ewww." It just took a corner of a lip raised in a sneer of a distain for his owner, Mr. Nemesis, to turn and leave. And apologize once they got home.

Expand full comment

Hahaha love it! I have the same thing, but with noise. No matter where I live, I always have noise around. That's my nemesis!

Expand full comment

I have that problem too!! The people under us just got a drum kit 😂😂

Expand full comment

Christ, I would end up pushing their head through (in my mind, of course)

Expand full comment

😂😂 The kid is so cute otherwise I would too. They were playing? Mary Had a Little Lamb the other day on the drums and the dad yelled, “Come on, you got this!!” 🥹

Expand full comment

Ok. But still... my brain can't do things like that.

Expand full comment

My cats have always been indoor outdoor since I had that luxury. When we sold the house and were getting ready to move I wasn't sure where we would be staying yet so I got harnesses and leashes for my cats just in case. Disaster. My one cat got three legs into one hole, twisting herself around and I had to take it off before she hurt herself. My other cat managed to sqeeze her head back and out and yowled bloody murder at me. Yeah I gave up that plan, I think you have to train them young.

Expand full comment

It takes patient conditioning with a cat like that. Daily work.

Expand full comment

And the right harness right Taryn?

Expand full comment

Definitely some terrible harness designs out there.

Expand full comment

a straight jacket?

Expand full comment

Well, it takes all k8bds. I’m guessing your Nemesis is not a happy person. Too bad he can’t be open and curious. His loss. Thanks for sharing and May your black cat and you share many happy walks together. (maybe he is suoerstitious)

Expand full comment

I never even thought of the superstition angle, Elyse! Maybe. People have strange ideas sometimes around that. Thanks for reading 😊

Expand full comment

Thanks! It was on my mind since I posted “Black Cats and Dark Spirits” last week

Expand full comment

I am reading it now. Thanks Elyse!

Expand full comment

So does Shadow just have white toe tips? What cool markings!

Expand full comment

A tiny bit of white on his chest and his back toes. We didn’t even see it when we got him as a kitten 😸

Expand full comment

Wait, so what happened when she said hello to him? He ignored her? Or muttered something?

Expand full comment

He just ignores her, but it’s hard to tell if he mutters too 😅 (I hear him talking to other people and he’s totally normal!!)

Expand full comment

What! This is so bizarre! Over a cat in a pink harness, really? Maybe it’s for another reason you missed? I think I’d just ask him, but then that could make things even more awkward. This is a bizarre story but told in a fun way that had me captivated, and now I adore Shadow. Our black kitty is named Cocoa.

Expand full comment

Cute! That’s a good name. My mom is coming to visit and she just told me she’d smooth things over 😂😅

Expand full comment

That’s my kind of mom! Let everyone know how it goes in a follow-up essay (is my thought anyway). You did a great job with this one, I was really into finding out what happened.

Expand full comment

Dogs are good,but cats….Awesome!! Different level. The Nemesis doesn’t deserve your attention and definitely not Shadow’s. I just dove in to your posts and was immediately attracted to this one because of the cat walking. Now I need to get up to speed with Nemesisgate.👏🏻👏🏻

Expand full comment