Wednesday, September 2, 2009

What to do???

So, we are back from our month long visit to Utah. It was great times and always hard to leave. Upon returning home we now have a "situation" to deal with and we're not quite sure what to do. Let me just start by saying that I have not had my feelings hurt like this as an adult for a VERY LONG time. Here's the story . . . .

During the week that Scott joined us in Utah we had asked both of our next door neighbors to help feed our dog Boots. One would feed in the morning, one in the evening. This one would also walk him. After 2 days we found out that Boot's dog house was moved over to one neighbors because she felt sorry for Boots being left all alone. Fine . . . whatever. BUT . . . then we find out that this neighbor did not keep him outside at her house, she kept him inside. Inside for the entire time, day and night. This would have been fine if we wanted Boots as an indoor dog but we do not and did not purchase him with that intention. So when we arrived home, every outside manner we had managed to teach him in 3 months had gone out the window and he tried to come in the come in the house every chance he got. Not only did the neighbor leave us with a messed up dog but she also left a letter in which she proceeded to tell us that our dog is "pitiful" because we leave it outside and refuse to let it be a part of our family by bringing it inside. How we don't spend enough time with it (which according to her anything less than 24/7 is not enough), and how dogs don't use dog houses (even though Boots sleeps in his every night), and how if we're not going to let him in we need to get ANOTHER dog!!! In a nutshell . . .we are horrible dog owners! Scott was very upset over the whole thing and my feelings were very hurt. We take care of our dog and were doing just fine until she went and messed things up. Now every time we see him outside we feel this huge "guilt" that he is out there. He's reverted back to digging holes all over and chewing everything up (all of which we had under control before we left). If we keep him around we'll get crap from our neighbor all the time about not having him inside. We'd get to start all over on the training. If we sold him we wouldn't have to worry about it and our neighbor wouldn't be on our case. What happened to the days when dogs were animals and could live outside without getting crap from your PITA neighbor???? What happened to the days where people minded thier own dang business???? At this point we are leaning towards selling Boots to hopefully eliminate the problem for all parties. Not sure. What would you do???

9 comments:

Tia said...

I can't believe the audacity of people. They totally should have minded their own business. I know it might be hard, but just try to let what they "suggested" in one ear and out the other. Don't think about it, and try to train your dog back to how you had her. Don't sell her just to make your neighbors happy, then you'll resent them forever. If you sell her, do it for the right reasons. I sold my dog because I NEVER gave her attention! I thought that was the responsible thing to do.
I think you guys have been good dog owners, and you know it, so just do what is best for you, and who cares what anyone else thinks!

Frank, Heidi and Family said...

My pride would get in the way and I would not sell him just because of the neighbors. Has he bonded with you? Has he become part of your family? You've had some good times and dogs can be retrained. Heavens. I can't believe your neighbor did that. Talk about minding your own business. Even if you sold the dog it seems you would still have issues with the neighbor- (hopefully not but it seems to be) if it wasn't the dog it will be something else.
I'm sorry that happened to the dog and all your hard work.

Kelly said...

Our dog has the freedom to go in and out, and you know what? He CHOOSES to spend about 90% of his life OUTSIDE. Dogs love it outside! Some people treat animals too much like people. Your neighbor had no right to go against your wishes and had no right to write that letter. You guys are responsible dog owners and are doing just fine. Doesn't Easton play with Boots all the time outside? Of course the dog is getting plenty of attention! You should do what's best for your family, not for your neighbor. Does she have kids? Or are animals her "kids"? If it's best for your family (i.e. the kids) to keep the dog, then keep it. Who cares what the neighbor thinks. Easier said than done, though, I'm sure. I'm sorry. It really sucks to get your feelings hurt. You'll make the right decision.

Mindy said...

You can air transport him to me! I think he's so cute! :)

Nosy Neighbors are the worst... I seem to remember getting an ugly ticket for quakey shoots in our grass just after Owen was born... this reminded me of that! There's always "puppy school"... that sometimes worked for us... but I wouldn't sell him for your neighbors benefit, I'll bet Easton would miss him! :(

Sandie said...

Keep the dog unless you don't want the responsibility any more. I have to agree with Tia. In one ear out the other. You might want to thank her for her input and tell her that you will take it into consideration. Then, do like you have always done. It is your pet not hers.

Sandie said...

BTW, welcome home!

Anonymous said...

Seriously, what is the matter with people? You're right, why can't people mind their own business? This lady is just so not nice and is probably just jealous that she doesn't have that cute of a dog and hope you'll give it to her by acting like a complete jerk. I think you should keep the dog, and retrain him and let him become part of your family the way you want him to be. I sure would love to give this neighbor a piece of my mind. Sorry you had to be put down by some mean lady who has nothing better to do with her time than look for mean things to do to good people.

Erin said...

What a lame neighbor! I wouldn't sell him Jess! I'd train him to be an outside dog and tell her to take a flying leap!

Angie said...

I agree with everyone else's suggestions! Keep the dog, unless you are done being a dog owner. Our dog has been outside his whole 7 years of life and he's a great dog! He sleeps in his dog house as needed, especially if it's cold outside. When it's hot, he prefers to sleep on the grass outside. When we've tried to get him to come into our house, he completely freaks out and feels stuck and runs back outside.
It will be like your back to square one with Boots, but he can be retrained. Sorry about your neighbor though. I'm not sure how to deal with her, but you do have your right to your own opinions.