[mauirobin]

When I first bought Button's in my first new home, I had her outside to do her business when the neighbor's daughter? about 10 yrs old. (I'm assuming) came over to the fence oohing & ahhhing over my cute puppy. However her pit/boxer mix came with her & proceded to climb the fence! It was within arm's length of the girl, but she just watched it climb....First instinct was to grab Button's but she was frightened...by me probably, & started to run the other way...I was panicking...& much to my dismay I did say that ever-popular bad word, when I yelled at the little girl to grab her _________dog. It was hung up for just a second or two at the top of the fence, and I couldn't believe she didn't stop it!

The dog did jump the fence, & I went full force at it as I couldn't grab Button's fast enough. Needless to say, I scared the crap out of the dog & it scurried back over the fence. I was manic!

The little girl went crying into the house, & a few minutes later...(Button's was retrieved & safely in the house...my little 12 week old yorkie), when her mother came out & started cussing ME out! I was furious, but I apologized for scaring her little girl. I did feel badly, but I was petrified with fear. I have never seen that dog again by the way, & very seldom see them....I do wish they would mow the lawn before it hits 3 feet tall...but hey, least the dog is gone.

Other neighbor on my other side had a Birthday party for her grandson, & two of the children that attended that party thought hitting my dogs with sticks through the gate was a fun past-time. Adults were less than 15 feet away & not paying any kind of attention.

I will quit being so nice with my neighbors, and am a bit biased, so am probably not the person to answer for you, but I suggest definately laying down some ground rules. By the way....stray cats bring fleas....and run through your yard....I got tons of those too, & have thought about catching them & taking them to the shelter....but some aren't strays...just "OUTSIDE" cats.....sheesh!