I’ve spent the past day dithering about this… my 100th post! Who’d have thought that I could babble about enough things to fill up 100 posts. Anyhow, I feel like I should be writing something very well composed and thought out, but I’m not going to do so. First, I’m doing about a million things in the lab. Second, I’m not that profound. Third, see my first point. So, instead I’m going to share an anecdote about my crazy neighbors.
A few days ago I invited The GirlsTM over for coffee/dessert/wine to celebrate me having a dining room table in my new house (I’m still excited). Of course, I get hung up in the lab, needed to still acquire said dessert, and rode my bike that day. This meant that I got home late. I decided to check my email to make sure everyone could find the place fine. No internet. This is tantamount to torture for me, as I use the internet for everything (including keeping in touch with Dr. Man). So, I call the internet company thinking that this will be a few minute call to get someone out to fix it.
Twenty minutes later I’m still on the phone and Mouse (my friend who works with mice– in a lab) came over and she lets the Dixie Dog out. About 10 minutes later I hear her barking, get off the phone with the Internet Company, and go outside. As I’m going outside I see her leap over the fence to chase a cat (I didn’t realize she could climb chain link!). I take off after her at a dead sprint (I may or may not have yelled a profanity at this point). Mouse goes outside to see what was going on, possibly because of my loud expletive. At the same time Shopper (my friend who likes to shop) drives up and slams on her brakes to avoid hitting the Dixie Dog (who by the way is loving this).
My neighbors are out in their yard start yelling at the dog. The daughter (?) is getting hysterical. Yelling something about how it’s hurt! she bleeped it! Now, Dixie Dog may chase cats and squirrels, but she doesn’t hurt them. In fact the one time she successfully caught a cat, she just sat their licking it. So, now I’m wondering if my sweet dog really did lick something to death (it turns out not, the daughter was just upset with the Dixie Dog chasing the cat). Eventually, the cat goes up a tree and the Dixie Dog sits at the base of it looking up hopefully. Thus distracted, I was able to grab her collar. She looks rather pleased with herself– if not a bit confused– as I’m hauling her away from the cat.
As I return to my house, I look over at my neighbors and start to offer an apology/assurance that we are in the process of getting a better fence. And the mother (?) looks at me and screams if I ever see your dog loose again, I’m going to call animal services. And if she in anyway hurts a cat, I’ll come over there and kill her myself.
Lovely, right? I understand their fear and I even understand the animal services comment (I’d rather her get picked up than get hit by a car or worse!). But to kill her? What if the cat just hurts him/herself by running? I’m worried that some cat will get into a fight with another cat or car and lose– and the Dixie Dog with get blamed.
But I’ve tried to smooth things over. Last night I wrote them a very nice note that offered the apology and assurance that I was originally going to give them at the time. So, here’s to hoping that’ll be received nicely and there will be no more run-ins
Hopefully she was just caught up in the moment and will calm down a bit when she sees your note!
Ugh. I’ve got some crazy neighbors myself. Hopefully yours will improve with time … mine certainly have not. 🙁
I’ve always been worried I’d live next to anti-dog people. I’ve been lucky – and my pup hasn’t often escaped her fence – but I’d go for a large privacy fence when you can afford it. More to keep the icky people out than to keep the precious pup in. Because I, for one, do not like your new neighbor.
what a CrAzY neightbor! Who gets upset at cats and dogs being cats and dogs. Perhaps you should rent the her the movie, cats vs dogs, so she realizes the nature of things. sheezh. The nicer fence may take a while, getting onside done with a wood fence is >$2000
I’m always so shocked by people who behave that way. I had my own crazy animal story, and I was the Cool Neighbor about i
Wow. Talk about emotional. I guess she doesn’t have a love of animals only cats. Maybe you should tell her to keep her cat on a leash so she doesn’t come into your yard and provoke your dog.
I’m glad you are being the better person here and staying calm. I would have ripped her a new one.
I am of the opinion that whether animals are “supposed” to chase/catch smaller animals, it is still a huge emotional anguish to the pet’s owner; seeing your beloved pet being chased by a bigger animal that should not be loose.
We have a dog that is 25 pounds; a neighbors dog (HUGE) got loose and came into our yard and tried to attack (yes, we were there with our dog on a lease; still everything happened so fast) our mutt (our only furry-child)and us.
You bet I said some stinging words (none foul) to the lady who did not seem to have a problem with her monster going after people and dog.
Please do not “judge” the neighbor; I don’t think you want to imagine your beloved being chased and potentially chewed up!
It is a valid scare.
An apology and note is a wonderful way to mend the fence (so to speak).
Not ashamed to speak my mind.
Alyson LID 01/27/06
Or you could put some of Dixie Dogs poop in a brown paper bag on their front step and set it ablaze (the bag not their house). Of course, I mean that just in a joking way (*winkwink*).
It’s nice that you are going the diplomatic route, however if you change your mind …
Yikes!
That’s a bit of a scary neighbor. We’re cat people rather than dog people (only because my daughter is allergic to dogs) – and dogs get out every once in awhile, cats do too. It’s just sort of a fact of life.
We’ve had a rash of cat disappearances in our neighborhood lately (like 6 or 7 in the last few weeks – LOTS of posters on the mailboxes.) I think there is poison out somewhere. Our kitties are staying in for awhile.
Wow, what an example for the child. I’m glad that you could be the better person.
Do a physioprof on them and tell them where to go…
Well, I could understand that they were upset about a loose dog in their yard. Over-reaction? Certainly. I’m glad you wrote the note. If they don’t respond to that, then they’re crazy. Probably best for you, your neighbors, and your dog to get that fence up.
I’m with Jennie. No doubt it was upsetting for them to see the cat being chased by the Dixie Dog, but to threaten to come over and kill the Dixie Dog??? That woman is seriously unbalanced.