I Just Got Robbed

[gini]

I just have to concur - get the gun out of the house!

Get yourself out of the house and your critters.........

BUT - YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT..........THEY WON'T BE BACK!

But - return the gun - especially since you say you are still shaking!

Over the years (with a serious break-in and robbery behind me) I was always sure that the only thing I could manage with a gun was to shoot myself in the foot.

Of course, as the burgler was laughing his head off, you could get still get out of the house.

[stacwase]

What a terrible thing to have happen to you. I would be terrified, too!

I think territorial dogs are much more valuable than guns, by the way! Sounds like a trip to the shelter might be in order?

I'm glad that you and your pets are OK.

[Cincy'sMom]

How scary for you Liz! I'm not sure my reaction of wanting a gun would be any different. Like have others have said though, be sure you know how to handle it.

Some friends had their house broken into a few months ago, and came how to fnd thier dog in the front yard. I guess I'm surprised how often dogs aren't the deterents we think they are. I told her it was cause her dog wasn't abig black one and she need to add a second (I've really just been trying to talk her into another dog but I guessin your case that won't work...maybe you need a tan one to go with the black

Sending postive thoughts your way. Let us know if you need something.

[trayi52]

What a horrible thing to have to go through. I can't even imagine how you must be feeling.

Please be safe, and take care of yourself and the furry ones. Thank God everybody is safe, and nothing happened to any of you.

Willie

[Pam]

Oh my gosh Liz! What an awful thing to have happen and how frightened you must be. I would be wavering from fear to anger at this point! Why do people think they have a right to help themselves to things that other people have worked hard to get?! I hope whoever did it can be caught and that sometime soon you will be able to relax and feel secure once again in your home. (((Hugs)))

About 15 years ago we had about 7 robberies in our neighborhood between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and some of them occurred when the people were asleep in their beds. One family was even robbed on Christmas Eve. Eventually the thief was caught and it was a teenager. He and his mother were both drug addicts and she was even encouraging the crimes. Right after this, people (including us) began installing security alarm systems. It might make you feel comfortable to have one, although I think if mine went off in the middle of the night I would have a heart attack right in bed.

[Uabassoon]

That's horrible news. Our house got robbed once when I was in high school. They only took the tv because thankfully the neighbors saw them as they were carrying into the truck, so they just jumped in and drove off. Thankfully nothing happened to kitty, the neighbors closed the door after the burglar drove off. But I remember I was too scared to sleep that night.

[4 Dog Mother]

Liz, I am glad you and the furkids are okay. I would be interested in knowing if Smokey is a barker. A recent article I read about dogs and burglary was that it doesn't matter the size of the dog as to how much it barks. A barking dog is more likely to draw attention by neighbors, etc. and a robber (according to the report) does not want that attention drawn to the house. My dogs would raise a real ruckus but a burlar probably wouldn't stand a chance of getting anything because they would be vying for his attention, jumping on him and trying to get him to pet them. But then again if he left the door open, they would probably take off and leave the house free for him to take whatever he wished.

[Randi]

Liz, years ago we had some really nasty neighbors (Banditos hang arounds). Before I realised who they were, I had complained to the wife about her always leaving bags of garbage on the staircase. From then on, it was war! The guy was rather nasty and threatening towards us, so we half expected our door would be kicked in sooner or later. At a point we thought of getting something to defend ourselves, so I called my cousin's wife, who was a cop at the time, to get some advice. The plan was to get a pepper spray from friends in USA, but she told me that that was illegal to use in Denmark, but suggested we keep a hair spray ready by the door. Well, luckily it never got to the point where we had to use it. They were kicked out soon after.

Hope everything falls into place, and you can relax again.

[ramanth]

Oh Liz, I'm so sorry.

I'm just glad you and the furkids are okay.

[Albea]

Liz, I'm so sorry you had to go through this horrible experience. Like everybody else said, it's a good thing that Smokey and the kitty are safe.
I vote with Karen and Phred: forget about the gun. Get an alarm installed instead and it will make you feel safer. I don't know how much the monthly charge is in your area. I have one and it's under $30.00 a month. If nothing else, just having the decal in your doors will be a useful. Robbers don't want to risk the sirens going on if they open a door.
As for Smokey, he could join Carina in the "I'm not a Watch Dog Club." Carina has barked three times in 11 years, and that was because her food wasn't ready fast enough. I'm sure that if any stranger came in the house she'll bring him one of her pull toys.
Please know that we are all thinking of you and hope that you can get over this incident very soon.
Alicia

[HoRsELUvR]

Im so sorry this happened. What a terrible thing for someone to do. Its lucky your pets were unharmed.

[Rachel]

Liz, I am so sorry that this has happened to you. Although never having been robbed myself, my old neighbors were once and it was just an awful experience, even though nothing was taken.

I have to agree hands down with Albea. She has expressed my sentiments on the various aspects of this situation. And again, I am so, so sorry.

[Kfamr]

Liz, I hope you're feeling a bit better today. I'd be nervous to have a gun in the home... maybe you can ask a police man or someone advice on what you could use instead of a gun for protection.


I say go to the shelter and get ya a GSD... Wouldn't Smokey like a friend?

Or maybe Phred would let you borrow Cinder n Smoke?

[lizbud]

Thanks PTers. This has been an awful experience, but
but I'm so glad none of the animals were hurt & they didn't
vandalize my house. Things can be replaced certainly, the real
thing stolen was my sense of peace & security here at home.
I intend to try to get that back by getting security doors (front
& back) and a wireless alarm system. I did give
the heavy 45 back to the neighbor.

Smokey hardly ever barks so I'm sure they thought nobody
was home.I still might get another German Shepherd Dog
but if I do, it will be because I do love the breed. I didn't get
Buddy (at 10 wks) for his guarding ability, it was just his nature.
Smokey is a lover & not a fighter.

I've talked to all my family, friends & neighbors by now and
I do feel some better. It all could have been much worse and
I have a definate plan for the future. Thanks for caring.

[Edwina's Secretary]

So sorry to hear Liz! My apartment was burglarized many years ago. It is a terrible feeling of being violated.

An alarm system...electronic or four legged is a much better idea than a gun! (The line from Farenhiedt 9/11 about shoting someone!)

My thoughts are with you....