a weird sort of homecoming

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I spent most of the weekend in Toronto, which is not where I live.
When I returned to my apartment yesterday, I noticed a few things out of place - records knocked over, some papers moved from my desk, etc.
When I looked in my bedroom, I discovered that someone had taken my bedding — comforter, sheets, pillowcases, everything. After confirming that nothing of real value was taken, I tried to figure out what happened because this was kind of weirding me out.
And I did. I guess my neighbour's cat had used our adjoining balconies to sneak into my apartment without my knowledge. When I left for the weekend, the cat was inadvertently locked in the apartment. When the neighbour finally figured out the cat was in my digs two days later, convincing the landlord to open the door, it had spent about 48 hours using my bed as a litterbox.
While the neighbour cleaned my bedding, and has offered to buy me new pillows, she's doesn't want to purchase a new mattress, despite the smell. She's going to try to remedy the odour with some vinegar treatment.
My question is: If the vinegar fails, how much pressure should I apply?

― Bruce S. Urquhart (BanjoMania), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:33 (twenty-one years ago)

That's got the be the best relief ever.

My parents' house was broken into recently, and after much rummaging they found a possum asleep on a bench. The house was packed full of poo and everything was knocked over.

― Which Describes How You're Feeling All the Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:36 (twenty-one years ago)

you're going to want a new mattress. believe me. you aren't going to get that smell out. I have cats and I know.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Seriously. There is no way.

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:43 (twenty-one years ago)

there is some stuff called 1-2-3 odor remover which works on carpets, it's an industrial enzyme that removes the crystals and eats the bacteria that causes the smell, but you'd need a LOT of it, and it leaves an after-odor which takes a long time to go away which you'll associate with cat piss anyway; it's cheaper to get a mattress.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:45 (twenty-one years ago)

so in answer to your question: apply as much pressure as you're comfortable doing with a neighbor. do you feel like you need to stay on good terms with her? I'd take her to small claims if she doesn't agree to replace it.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd say the neighbour would be more likely out for compensation, having her cat locked up for two days.

― Which Describes How You're Feeling All the Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't sneak into your neighbor's house and take a dump on her bed. It's tempting, but in the end it will only hurt your cause.

― martin m. (mushrush), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Trust me on this one.

― martin m. (mushrush), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Er, not that I'm saying the neighbour will do this, but taking her to small claims would be a bit rough considering he [accidentally] locked the cat up in the first place.

xxpost

― Which Describes How You're Feeling All the Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 22:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah but it's not my responsibility to keep tabs on her pets, especially if she lets them roam. Her pets have, in the past, used my balcony as a toilet, and I've let it slide.
I've gently removed the cat from my apartment before. This time, it was hiding.

― Bruce S. Urquhart (BanjoMania), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 23:09 (twenty-one years ago)

True, but would the law see it that way?

― Which Describes How You're Feeling All the Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Thursday, 5 August 2004 01:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm pretty sure they would. The roaming cat actually contravenes a local bylaw that requires cats to be leashed if off the owner's property.

― Bruce S. Urquhart (BanjoMania), Thursday, 5 August 2004 01:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah.

― Which Describes How You're Feeling All the Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Thursday, 5 August 2004 01:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, I see your point now. Go for blood.

― Which Describes How You're Feeling All the Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Thursday, 5 August 2004 01:53 (twenty-one years ago)

they will probably
take the cat(s) away from her,
won't they? (I don't know.)

If that's true then it's
off to the pound or death row!

― Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Thursday, 5 August 2004 01:57 (twenty-one years ago)

It's her cat. It's her responsibility, and it's her problem.

It's unfortunate. Happenings such as this are not unprecedented, but I don't think it will result in death row.

― jim wentworth (wench), Thursday, 5 August 2004 02:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Jim is your real name Emanuel Kant?

― Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Thursday, 5 August 2004 02:35 (twenty-one years ago)

talk to her. be pleasant but firm. she will understand that she's going to have to pay for a mattress if she's going to be reasonable.

if she isn't going to be reasonable then there will be consequences

― jimmy crackhorn, Thursday, 5 August 2004 02:37 (twenty-one years ago)

dude there's no way you can sleep on a catpiss mattress

― s1ocki (slutsky), Thursday, 5 August 2004 03:32 (twenty-one years ago)

if you can feel the pee, through the mattress, it means that you are a real princess.

― RJG (RJG), Thursday, 5 August 2004 03:45 (twenty-one years ago)

hee hee

― s1ocki (slutsky), Thursday, 5 August 2004 03:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Cats on leashes!!?

― Ricardo (RickyT), Thursday, 5 August 2004 07:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude, she needs to buy you a new matress!

― PinXor (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 5 August 2004 08:01 (twenty-one years ago)

RJG, you made me laugh for like one minute non-stop.

― Ernest P. (ernestp), Thursday, 5 August 2004 08:18 (twenty-one years ago)

new mattress required! Is she broke? maybe she can't afford to get you a new one, hence the sad vinegar suggestion.

― donna (donna), Thursday, 5 August 2004 08:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Surreal homecomings are classic!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 5 August 2004 08:49 (twenty-one years ago)

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