Speckled Hen: Your DH sounds like a very level headed nice guy. Alot like my DH. I like the idea of you two talking to the young man's father, instead of just rushing to the police. To me it shows integrity and kindness on your part. I am not saying going to the police is wrong, but sometimes there is a higher road to take first. I also understand why so many say kids have no respect anymore, but that is the fault of parents with bad attitudes producing kids with the same. It is too bad for these parents that they go thru this with their son, but I bet there were some warning signs he put off as a youth that may be missed. Not always the case, but most times it is. Parents just can't bring themselves to accept their own fault either. The fact that these parents allow him in their home with a dog he will not take full responsibility for says to me they are way too permissive. I know the young man is 20, and what he does he is responsible for now, but if the parents are going to allow him to live there and keep this dog on their property then any grief this causes them is their fault too, as they are even older and need to be even more capable to make healthy tough decisions. I see alot of push over parents that say, I didn't raise hime like this. But in fact they have by being too permissive and not tough enough. Parents want to create a Disneyland experience for their children, they want them to be happy all the time. Sometimes pain and consequence are our greatest teachers, and make for wonderful caring adults. I hope it works out without him hurting you chickens. In my expereince, a lack of repect for authority usually stems from too permissive of a parent or too controlling. Both styles of parenting equal the same thing: REBELLION. I really like your style, very level headed but tough. We need more people like this in the world.
