Ridiculous Neighbors

So, last summer I wrote about the issues we have had with our neighbors. These are very difficult people to deal with on a regular basis and the truth is that we really got a bum deal living behind these people. Honestly, I wish (and hope and pray) that they move away one day. They are difficult and obnoxious and mean. The husband is loud about it and the wife is just mean but either way they are ridiculous. The kids are fine (it is pretty much amazing they are as nice as they are).

So, as soon as the Spring hit and the nice weather came around once again our town was getting call after call from these people about our dog. Again, I get that he is loud and annoying. But if I am mindful to make sure he is not barking (outside - remember they complain when he barks from inside the house too) too long I don't see why they would want to waste their time calling the town over and over to complain. After the second notice from the town to notify us that the neighbors were complaining again I decided to try to work this out with the town. Since there was no chance I could work it out with the neighbors. I asked the town dog controller if we could all (us, the neighbors and her) sit down and establish times and length of time that it was reasonable for me to let the dog outside. She said that that was just something that was not done.

She did however start an official investigation. I only know this because a few other neighbors informed me that they had heard from her and that they had no problems with the dog. I am guessing that that ended with her essentially on our side. I don't know that officially. I never heard one way or the other. But it is a guess.

So, on a side note I have to add that these people like to have bonfires in their backyard. Really big ones. Maybe twenty feet from their house (forty or so feet from our house). It makes me nervous. I hate it. We called the fire department once a few years ago to have them put it out. Then they didn't have anymore - until last year. After the big fight. Hubby was under the impression that we had come to an understanding. That we were supposed to deal with the fires and they were going to deal with the dog. I hated this and every time they had a fire last fall I was a nervous wreck and up all night worrying and watching. But I let it go. Honestly, I hated doing that but Hubby really wanted me to so I did - for him.

But once they called about the dog again Hubby and I agreed that I no longer had to deal. I could feel free to call whenever there was a fire. Last Saturday night there was a fire. I called. The fire department came and made them put it out. I was able to sleep. But I knew they were made and something would come of it.

Today they called the SPCA and reported that we were away for several days and we had left the dog home alone. Unfortunately, I was upstairs and did not hear it when the SPCA investigator stopped by. But we called him right back and he said he saw the cars and heard the radio (I blast it while Baby Sister is napping) and that he didn't even hear a dog so he really wasn't concerned. Plus, now that I had called him back he knew I was obviously home. So, that was it. I have no idea what is coming next. I am, however, guessing that sometimes soon (tonight or tomorrow perhaps) they will have another fire and the fire department will be getting a call from me.

The whole situation would be kind of amusing except that Big Brother is a little afraid of the guy and VERY afraid of the fires. I hate that he worries that our house will burn down. Although it has given us a good opportunity to go over fire safety and what he should do if there is a fire in our house (get out, where to wait for us, stop,drop and rool, DO NOT HIDE IN A CLOSET, etc).

So, in addition to being my crazy story of the week I am posting this for VGNO because, well... if I were attending an IRL party I would definitely be telling this story. So, happy VGNO. Oh and if you do not know what VGNO is go on over and check out party central over at Ann's.