Rough week in the country.

[Jstpssng]

Hard not to feel guilty in a way but the owner to fault.
You folks seem to be the type doesn't like stirring pot,but I would keep eye also ear open on your neighbor.

Some years back, a few towns over we had this! Never went to check it out though!
Newport's topless lawn mower attracts national attention
Newport's topless lawn mower attracts national attention

I remember that. It created quite a stare- Er, stir.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Is the topless donut shop still open in Portland?

I never heard about a topless donut shop, but topless coffee kiosks pop up every once in a while. They usually don't last long.

 

[tomplum]

This thread is really what it's all about being rural. Sometimes it may be best to turn the other cheek. Sometimes it's best to raise that boot up to a pair of cheeks...

 

[4570Man]

Just the thought of dry leaf clippings in a sweaty crevice....

I think sunburn would be a worse problem, but then again I have no experience on the matter.

 

[D2Cat]

Overtaxed, You've mentioned several times how the death of animals, specifically dogs, effect you and your wife. You also mention the cost and work involved in the underground fence you use. You also mention how your dogs chase you and the wife on your driveway as you ride there.

Let me give you a couple of warnings. That underground fence works most of the time, but when a dog for whatever reason charges over it, they're free. And they don't drift back into the yard because they know they will be in trouble. They just remember the discomfort that lasted for a moment at some point and you have to let them back in without a electric jolt.

When your dogs chase you and you wife, as you drive down you own driveway, you are essentially teaching your dogs that is behavior you accept. You need to train your dogs to respect your authority, and not chase, or you my be witnessing your own dogs demise when they get out and hit.

 

[Sigarms]

That underground fence works most of the time, but when a dog for whatever reason charges over it, they're free. And they don't drift back into the yard because they know they will be in trouble. They just remember the discomfort that lasted for a moment at some point and you have to let them back in without a electric jolt.

I've known a couple of owners who had dogs that would take the jolt, leave the parameter, and then they would just sit outside the parameter NOT coming home because they would not take the jolt to get back inside the parameter.

 

[Dadnatron]

Interactions with neighbors, wherever they may be, can always be dicey. However, in my experience, it is the 'assumptions' of what we believe their 'motives' to be which are usually the issue. And it goes both ways. We recently moved to the country, after living in the city/suburbs for 30yrs, (I grew up 20m from no where) and we've made it an absolute priority to get to know our neighbors. We've talked about things, I've contacted them with information, what I'm doing, and on what I'd like to do with the fences, roads, etc. Everyone has been very appreciative of the information and as funny as it seems, we, having been there only 2 years. have brought neighbors who've lived within 2 miles of each other their whole lives, closer together. Given that we have worked to know and interact with everyone, those neighbors now interact more often.

I guess what I am saying is, contact your neighbors and talk with them. If you 'keep the camera', but nothing is said, you will harbor hard feelings, as will your neighbor, and that isn't the type of neighbor I'd like in any regard. Openness and honesty will garner you much more, than waiting for him to meekly come beg forgiveness. Whether he was wrong or not, address it and get him on your side. He might be the only guy who sees someone snooping around you place, and rather than call the cops, he might remember the camera, and continue watching the news. 'Fault' doesn't matter... when what you both might really need is a good neighbor.

As far as the dog... again, I recommend hitting it head on. Your neighbors don't want to lose a dog. You don't want one to die because he chased you. Your wife won't (potentially) ride again because of the dog. ... To me, it seems like addressing the issue of the dog chasing you would be in everyone's best interests.

I don't understand so many people's thoughts of 'I'm right and you're wrong'. I mean... I understand it... but I don't know why anyone would hamstring the rest of their lives by maintaining that attitude.

 

[D2Cat]

Dadnatron, I agree with your post. Unforgiveness is a poison we drink hoping someone else will die.

 

[oosik]

I had to laugh the other day. A "band" of beavers has taken up residence in my lake - five acres, 80 feet deep. They built a low dam at the lake outlet where it flows into a much larger lake. The neighbor complained to me that he did not like the beaver building the dam. He said he would doze it out with his JD 550. Since the beaver dam is on his property - not mine - not much I could say. The outlet takes a wide curve as it exits my little lake and - unfortunately meanders over onto the neighbors property - before returning to drain into the much bigger lake.

I've told him a dozen times that removing the dam will not eliminate the beaver situation. AND that I like the beavers and WILL NOT take any steps to have them removed.

Long story - short. He got his JD 550 dozer stuck and he got mad and it got even worse stuck - to the point where water/mud got sucked into the engine and something went - - KA-BLOOIE. The shiny yellow dozer still sits down at the dam site - the beavers have started to rebuild the dam right around his stuck dozer. Fortunately the dozer is not leaking any fuel or oil into the waterway.

This picture is off my front porch - shows the five acres of open water and the beginning of five acres of cattails down at the far end where the outlet/beaver dam/neighbors dozer are all located.

View attachment 546138

 

[MossRoad]

OUCH!