When I was in college with a headache that lasted for days, I was convinced I had an incurable disease and will not live past college. In other words, I have a flair for drama. Based on my past (over) reactions, I will most likely not be evicted. Yesterday, I was asked to see my building's administrative manager. It felt like being called to the principal's office. I knew right away what it was about: my dog. I bought my place during pre-selling, back in 2009 if I have the date right, and the agent had assured me then that I could keep my dog in the building. Well, fast forward to present day where put simply, I'm in trouble for the exact same thing I wanted reassurance for. Irritated that I was asked to see him, with a nap disrupted nonetheless, I prepped myself to keep my cool. I know I teach yoga and I am supposed to know about equanimity, but there are certain situations I know I am prone to lose it. I lose my cool with phone and credit card companies, and the last time it happened I felt so guilty. My co-teacher Chris, in an effort to appease me, said that the Dalai Lama did not have to deal with such things so who knows how he would react. But that's another story. So I reminded myself that I have to stay calm if I want to win him over and get him to see my side. Plus of course, there's my equanimity. Basically he told me it was against house rules and that was it. I explained my situation and asked for a compromise. He told me that what I can do is perhaps make a written request and he could escalate it to the board. I thought about my options. One, I could write that letter but it would mean there is written proof of me admitting that I have violated house rules. But then again, there's CCTV in the elevator and all of the guards know I have a dog. If I write that letter and I get no for an answer, will I be fined some amount that I cannot afford? Will I be evicted? Two, I can pretend that my dog has left the building and ignore future warnings. But what message would that send about our animal companions, that they are disposable at the first sign of inconvenience? I will be reinforcing speciesism if I pretended I could do something like that without a second thought. Besides, all the guards will still know he has not left the building because I have no intention of keeping him from the highlight of his day which is his morning walk. Three, I could be as persistently annoying as David Thorne until they leave me alone. If you have no idea who he is, you must- absolutely must- read this correspondence about animals in the building. But I don't think I have his imagination, and it could go the other way completely. They might hate me so much they want me out. I went for option one. I figured if they agreed, then I no longer have to hide my dog. If they did not agree, then I will appeal and re-appeal and find other options. I have been distracted all day yesterday and today, and I have to remind myself that at worst this is a major inconvenience, that is all. The absolute worst thing that could happen is I am going to be fined or asked to move. And if that happens, though I hope not, in the big picture, it really is not a big deal. I could lease out my place or sell it. I could move to an animal-friendly building. It's not the end of the world. And as annoyed as I was by the building administrator and the agent who sold me the unit, I realized while I was brushing my teeth tonight that I should be grateful that this is my problem. I should be grateful that I live in a building where the employees actually want to do their jobs. Am I going to be evicted? I truly hope not. I like living here. If I get them to officially allow my dog in the building, that would be great! What about my cat, you ask? (In case you are my building administrator, you have to know you are a kind person with a heart of gold. What cat?)
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