Phil in SF quoted The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
From science fiction visionary Annalee Newitz comes The Terraformers, a sweeping, uplifting, and illuminating exploration …
Wages haven't kept up with the cost of living, my landlord hiked up the rent, and now I'm out on my ass without a tongue to clean it.
— The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz (Page 610)
Hah! Rephrasing "up shit creek without a paddle" for when the speaker is a cat.