Quote: becky shilling

 Quote: barbara schuler

Make it a pink sleeve with "BITE ME" written on it.

You know, I think this might be a big seller!

Hmmmm... I think you might just be right on that. The wheels are turning.

Thanks Tammy, but at this point, I no longer consider her a good neighbor. Telling me my way is wrong, and her way is right, telling me what my dog knows and doesn't know, ignoring me when I ask her to ignore my dog and to NOT push him into the sit position, telling me I'm a lost cause and I have no idea what I am doing, that's just not very neighborly.

I don't mind people giving me their opinion, but when they try to cram it down my throat and basically tell me I have no clue, that's when I get angry.

The thing is, this is not my first dog. She had a dog that passed away 20 years ago, I have one that passed away 5 years ago. She knows this. For her to think that she needs to TELL me what to do is ignorant.

I will be civil towards her since we are next door neighbors, but I hope she stays on her property.

On a side note, her husband always feels the need to tell me the way I mow my lawn, or mulch my leaves, or plant shrubs, or snowblow my driveway is wrong. Meanwhile, he is always having to bring in loads of topsoil and re-seed his lawn, not me. I guess at their age(late 70's early 80's) they think they know it all and feel the need to share their knowledge with me.

I need to stop because my blood is starting to boil again

Wish me luck

I have a hard-and-fast rule: Don't touch my dog and don't give commands to my dog.

Any chance of getting a tall fence?





eta

PS

But letting your blood boil gives her power over you. Don't give her that power. As someone else said, smile and move the dog away from her.

And now you know that any "discussion" is counterproductive. So I would not engage at all.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (11/19/2010 07:55 PM)
Edit reason: eta

 Quote: Nick Aloycious

Thanks Tammy, but at this point, I no longer consider her a good neighbor.

I didn't say consider her a good neighbor, I'd consider her a neighbor to avoid when outside,
wouldn't be letting her touch my dog, or letting what she says upset me.

I hear stuff like this from seniors all the time, it's frustrating, but I don't generate any more conversation, I know it will get me nowhere.

 Quote: dennis jones

getting old is no excuse for for being close minded and recalcitrant. My grandfather attended college into his seventies and my mother who's age is classified attends courses and seminars as well and if I was fully retired I'd attend classes. When I get to the age that I can't learn something knew or understand a new concept, dig a hole for me I'm done.

Unfortunately, we don't all age in the same manner. A friend of mine recently lost her husband at age 70 - who had been suffering (horribly) with early-onset alzheimers since he was in his early 50's.

These neighbors however appear to be opinionated, set in their ways and aren't going to change due to the advice of a "young whipper snapper". You can chose to let them elevate your blood pressure or not.

Thanks everyone. Venting on here has made me feel better.

 Quote: nick aloycious

Thanks everyone. Venting on here has made me feel better.

Well this probably isn't going to make you feel better. Did your dog that passed away 5 years ago reach its senior years? Did you cut him/her some slack if he growled when you startled him or forgot his housebreaking or a myriad of other unacceptable behaviors because you understood his actions were affected by the aging process?

 Quote: nick aloycious

I guess at their age(late 70's early 80's) they think they know it all and feel the need to share their knowledge with me.

Or at their age could suffer from dementia, alzheimers, chronic pain or just a need to share their lives' knowledge be it right or wrong in your eyes. Would it kill you to acknowledge their suggestions with a "thank you" I'll think about that? And keep your dog away from them.

Compassion, Nick, generally keeps the blood from boiling. :wink:

 Quote: sheila buckley

 Quote: nick aloycious

Thanks everyone. Venting on here has made me feel better.

Well this probably isn't going to make you feel better. Did your dog that passed away 5 years ago reach its senior years? Did you cut him/her some slack if he growled when you startled him or forgot his housebreaking or a myriad of other unacceptable behaviors because you understood his actions were affected by the aging process?

 Quote: nick aloycious

I guess at their age(late 70's early 80's) they think they know it all and feel the need to share their knowledge with me.

Or at their age could suffer from dementia, alzheimers, chronic pain or just a need to share their lives' knowledge be it right or wrong in your eyes. Would it kill you to acknowledge their suggestions with a "thank you" I'll think about that? And keep your dog away from them.

Compassion, Nick, generally keeps the blood from boiling. :wink:

Almost sent you a PM saying how much I appreciated this post, but it should be said publically... Very nice perspective.

"acknowledge their suggestions with a "thank you" I'll think about that ... And keep your dog away from them ... "


Excellent reminder!

(For all of us.)

I had an experience with a neighbor much like yours. Despite their age, some people just "know everything" and there's no sense trying to tell them otherwise. All you can do is speak your peace once and then let it go.

I will say, after about a year of being overly critical of everything I do with the dog, the neighbor has finally backed off. Probably because they can see the dog is not some horrible disobedient Hell-beast sent here to destroy the neighborhood house by house. Just stick with what you're doing, brush off the nay-sayers, and vent out of earshot. One day they may decide that you're doing ok on your own system and finally come around. Thats even better satisfaction when you start slapping titles on your dog.