As most of you know, I am very sensitive about my dogs being good neighbors, and not barking incessantly. They are always in at night, and when the barking starts during the daytime, I always investigate and bring them inside. I am extra sensitive to this because when they were puppies, about two years ago, I went off for the weekend and had a petsitter come to care for them. We chose to leave them outside, and apparently, they were very loud during the night and my backdoor neighbor made sure I knew about it. In fact she chose to ring my doorbell at 11:00 at night, 5 nights later,when my dogs were sleeping soundly inside, to inform me of the weekend activities. She also wouldn't identify herself, but later admitted it was her. I was scared to death! They have never spent another night outside since that fateful weekend.

Now to the problem. These same neighbors took in a Yorkshire Terrier that was headed to the pound. OK, that was a noble thing to do, but for the last three weeks, they have left that dog penned up on their deck and it barks and cries all the time! In fact, last Sunday, it escaped and ended greeting me at my front door when I came home from church. I had her for half a day until I could reach them. I hinted that I knew it must be their dog because I recognized the bark. Well, the hint wasn't good enough. That poor thing is miserable and lonely, the only way I know to describe it. They put her out when the husband leaves for work at 2:30 am, and she stays out until late evening. And she barks all night and all day. She can't even get down to the yard! As the weather gets cooler, I will want to open up my windows, but I don't see it happening as long as all this barking and yipping is going on. And I endure it all day too since I work from home.

I'm scared to make a big deal out of it with them for fear that the lady of the house will be as ugly as she was two years ago. I'm sure I would get a long list of every single time she has heard my dogs bark. My one defense would be that I know my dogs don't keep her awake at night!

I would like the barking to stop, obviously, but I also feel so sorry for the little dog. A Yorkshire Terrier is not an outside dog, is it? Anyone have any brilliant ideas for me as to how I can deal with the problem?
I do not want to make waves....but I would like to sleep and see the little dog in a better environment. My offering to adopt it is NOT an option!!!

Logan

[ August 22, 2001: Message edited by: Logan ]