The Case for "Paw-ternity" Leave

It's no secret that mandatory maternity and paternity leave is a big deal in the US, at least if you listen to the political debates.  I believe that Moms and Dads should be able to not only bond with their child at birth, but should be able to take them to dentist appointments and the doctor without having to sacrifice pay.

As a lifelong unmarried, childless woman, I've often been the one that worked the holidays so that others could spend time with their family.  I can work after hours and on weekends when others need to take care of their kiddos.  And that's okay with me - I don't begrudge folks with families; I'm happier without.

But when I have to take my cherished cat to the Vet, or need to bond with my new adopted kitten, or am grieving the loss of my pet, I want the same consideration as the Mom of a human.  "It's not like it's a human being" is not a welcome phrase.  My cats are more important to me than most humans; just like you, I celebrate their achievements, smile with delight over the cute things they do, and sigh with frustration when they break stuff (and they break a lot of stuff).

The United Kingdom has mandatory paid maternity and paternity leave.  And almost 1 in 20 pet owners also get a benefit known as Paw-ternity leave.  It ranges from a few hours to three weeks paid leave.  New Zealand is also offering this benefit in many companies.

What do you think?  Are we the new minority?  Let's march on Washington and demand our crazy cat lady rights!

Cat People Are Smarter Than Dog People, New Study Shows

SAN FRANCISCO — "Dog people" and "cat people" really do have different personalities, according to a new study.

Source: Cat People Are Smarter Than Dog People, New Study Shows

Working as Designed

The term Working as Designed, or WAD for short, is a much-hated term in the software business.  When a customer finds a feature missing and they're told it's WAD, they scream and rail against the system.  Working as Designed has become the equivelent of Poor Design.

In real-life terms, we're all working as designed.  And when we're designed with a body that's too fat, too skinny, too short, too tall, too anything, we don't like it anymore than a software customer.  "I hate my fat thighs!"  "I wish I was taller!"  "Why can't I run a 5k in 30 minutes?"

In the software world, if a customer wants to change something, they open a Change Request, or CR with new requirements.  We'll look at it, ask questions if we don't understand, and then have our developers estimate it.  In real life, if you want to change something, you do something similar.  You figure out what you want to change, and take the steps necessary to get to what you want.

And sometimes in both worlds, you might get one of the following answers:

1. You can do it, but it will cost you, either in time, money, or changing what you do today (I want to lose weight; I can do that by eating right and exercising (changing process), or I can pay a surgeon for a tummy tuck.)


2. It can't be done.  The product was built in a way that the desired change cannot be made.  At least not now.  Future technology might make it possible (I'd like to be a little taller please, and by the way, I'd like my Mom and Dad back).

And when I get either of the answers above, my inclination is to stomp my feet and whine "life is so unfair!".  Even so, I work pretty darn well as designed, with a 66% up time (the rest of the time is spent in nightly maintenance), a strong frame (hardware) that allows me to do anything I want to do with just a little effort, and a mind (software) that lets me dream of the future.

Why Your Cat Scratches Everything In Sight

No, she's not preparing to eat you.

And no, I don't think you should declaw your cat.

Source: Why Your Cat Scratches Everything In Sight