I have a cat.

I never asked for a cat.

The cat belonged to a neighbor up the hill. She lived alone. She passed away. When someone came to check on her, one of her two cats darted outside. The other didn't.

Enter Buddy.

A past housemate started feeding the stray. Inviting it inside. We got it its regular rabies shots. Then the housemate left.

And I was stuck with the cat.

I'm not a cat person. I don't dislike cats. I just don't _know_ them. I grew up with dogs. Cats are a different language. This one wakes me up at 4:30 AM this time of year, every day, to go outside. I let it out. It comes back. We have a routine.

The cat is fine. It doesn't cause trouble. Except for one thing: if a loose dog runs up on it, the cat defends itself. A quick scratch. Just enough to scare the dog back. Never enough to draw blood. I've seen it happen. The dog yelps, runs off, the cat goes back to napping.

I don't love the cat. But I don't want it to get hurt. And I don't want to lose my home because of it.

Today I got an email from my property manager. Addressed to everyone. It said all pets need to be kept on a leash. Failure to comply can result in lease violations and non-renewal.

I don't know how to put a cat on a leash. I don't know if that's even possible. And I don't know how to explain to a property manager that this cat isn't really mine—it's just... here. Because someone died. Because a housemate fed it. Because I couldn't throw it back outside after it got used to a bed.

The lease renews in July. I have a good relationship with the property manager. She's reasonable. But "reasonable" has limits.

I'm not asking for advice. I'm just naming the absurdity. I inherited a cat from a dead woman via a departed housemate, and now that cat might be the reason I can't keep my housing.

That's not a tragedy. It's just... very on brand for my life.

If you've ever inherited a problem you didn't ask for—a pet, a debt, a piece of furniture you hate but can't get rid of—you get it. We're not victims. We're just... custodians. Of other people's leftovers. Doing our best.

The cat is sleeping on the couch right now. It has no idea any of this is happening.

I kind of envy that.