A complicated problem...the neighbor's dog

Guess I am a little late with a response but Karen would have outshined mine anyway! Great great, fantastic approach Karen. Thank you !

Logan, I tend to get angry when I see these things happen. I let out my aggressions and then go to the culprits house...and speak nicely of course. I did this to a neighbor of ours a few weeks ago. We are constantly finding her two very old little terriers running around our building. The first time was okay, the second time perturbed me, the third time I said this is ridiculous and was going to let the lady have it... nicely. It turns out, thanks to another neighbor telling me, that she is an elderly lady and the dogs get out of the back gate and she can't chase them down. They never go far anyway, several times they just wait at the back gate and we put them back in. Finally I confronted her. I asked how this happens and if she can't take care of them what does she plan on doing. She was really sweet and said that she can't go after them. I asked if she was trying to find a home for them then. She said she was and I told her that when/if the dogs get out to come get me immediately, I will get them for her and I will help her find them a home. But, they are sooooo old. It's so sad.

So, again, this is the only time I have ever had to do this but I do tend to be direct but very nice. No problems so far Good luck Logan. Hopefully the rest of your nights will be bark free
If not, the direct approach is best. Identify yourself and politely mention that this barking does bother you and possilby other neighbors. What do they plan to do with this poor dog and can you help in any way. Try that... if she has a problem with that approach then it is her problem and she must not be a very nice person.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Angel, you are a softy, I love your direct approach, you go to tell the lady off and you end up offering to fetch the dogs and find them a home. I love it, I wished you lived near me.
Jackie

[lizbud]

Having just re-read thru the posts on
"Complicated problem" i felt that my thoughts
and opinions might be construded as a put-down of other Pet Talk peoples reactions
to the issue at hand.Sorry if that was the
case with anyone here..
One of the great things about PET TALK is
that everyone can feel welcome to post without fear of being belittled or their opinions rejected out-of-hand because they
differ from our own... The openness and
honesty of discussion on issues is what drew
me to PET TALK. Truly hope no one was offended by my opinions...
Logan..Good luck with this !!!!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Liz, no offense here, I truly think we all feel the way you do, just get tired of all these people who do not take responsibility and care for the animal they take into their home. Wouldn't life be great if they had to sign a legal document that they would
love, cherish and take care of any animal they took into their home for life. Guess I'm dreaming.
Jackie

[Logan]

Interesting update for you....

Little Shadow has continued her daytime barking, but not nearly as bad. I never said a word to them, as I hadn't heard her during the night anymore. And just tonight, I had to go outside around 7:30 and tell both Shadow and Honey to be QUIET!!! Then, at 9:15, my doorbell rang...made me nervous as I had turned off the outside lights and was getting Helen in the bed. I did the normal "who is it?" and it was my neighbor (the husband, thank goodness). He said Shadow was gone and wanted to know if I had seen her. He said they went out to dinner and when they came home, their gate was open, and she was gone. He could see no signs of her escape from the deck. I know he was hoping that she had come here again. I'm wondering if some other neighbor got fed up with the barking and took her out of there...maybe not. Maybe she just wiggled out, but that doesn't explain the open gate.
I guess deep down, they are trying with her...I hate for that little thing to be lost and wandering the streets. She had no collar on when she came here that one day.

Say a little prayer that they either find her, or someone took her in.

[lizbud]

Logan..
When you say " I think they are trying with
her" I don't believe it.They have an investment in the dog..that's all. If they
trully loved the Yorkie they would have made
other arraingments for keeping it inside..
I don't believe in " outside dogs " to begin
with ,,,But a Yorkie???
Hope with all my heart that someone took
the baby to a better place where she can
begin to unlearn all the bad stuff that's
happened to her..
Thank you Logan for the update on Shadow..

[Genia]

I'm late as usual. I hope Shadow is found and taken to a good home. Maybe someone was as upset as you and did as Pam suggested: kidnapped him. Others have offered good advice but I must ask... What are the laws in your area? In the community where I live dogs that are kept outdoors must have ample space (not sure of the correct intended meaning of ample) to move around, shelter from rain, sun, inclement weather, etc. plus water available at all times when kept outdoors. There's also a noise ordinance in place. Check and maybe law enforcement could become involved. I do believe the direct approach is best. Calmly talking about the situation. This advice may not do any good if poor Shadow isn't found but maybe it could help someone else.

[RachelJ]

I certainly wouldn't be surprised if someone else was on a rescue mission for Shadow. I only hope that was the case. There are others who have more direct and sinister ways of dealing with a barking dog who is annoying them. I hate to bring up that possibility, but the fact is it exists just like the incomprehensible notion of someone continually leaving a little yorky outside like that. God bless little Shadow wherever he may be.

[ August 31, 2001: Message edited by: RachelJ ]

[Pam]

Oh Rachel now I have such an uneasy feeling about little Shadow. I hadn't thought of that possibility. I think the open gate says it all. I certainly hope that Shadow has been rescued by someone who will love her the way she deserves to be loved. Logan, please keep us posted if you hear anything.

Uh-Oh.... I must say I am surprised about Shadow's disappearance but my first thought was another neighbor taking her. The open gate does speak volumes. I just hope (and this is my skeptisism and watching too much tv speaking here...) that the neighbor didn't plan this and purposely let the dog out and made it look like someone took her. I really doubt they would go as far as too knock on doors and ask if anyone had seen her
if they purposely let her out. But, you never know. I really think someone else got fed up and took her out. Do you know if the other neighbors knew about Shadow's situation? I'm sure they did if you did. You can't miss a Yorkie barking constantly. I just hope Shadow is with someone who treat her the way she is meant to be treated. This makes me very sad - I know this doesn't have to be said but just let us know what happens.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Oh Rachel, I don't know what happened but I hope she is in a safe place and not on the street.
Jackie

[karen israel]

Any sightings Logan? Poor, sweet, innocent Shadow, I hope he's ok. I feel rather creepy about this, gate open and all....

[Daisy's Mom]

I was happy at first, thinking that Shadow had bee rescued, until Rachel brought up her point. I really hope this is not the case here. Daisy and I pray that Shadow was rescued by a caring neighbor, and that now he is in a loving home.

[tatsxxx11]

Oh please let Shadow be in the arms of someone loving and kind; or that he is safely hiding, soon to be found, having merely escaped the yard. I can't bare to imagine that someone has taken him and harmed him. This is so distressing. Please let us know as soon as you hear anything Logan. Maybe he will show up at your very welcoming door mat soon. I hope so.

[Logan]

I have heard not a peep tonight, and I rarely see my neighbors. But if I see the owner tomorrow, I will definitely inquire. As you can tell, they aren't the "closest" of neighbors that I have.
I hope the little dog is ok too. I'll let you know as soon as I know anything.
Logan