Just a neighbor vent

[rainplace]

I am also a very private person and do not like unannounced visitors, neighbors or not. I am constantly amazed at how angry people get when I tell them this about myself in a way to get them to stop trespassing into my personal space. They tend to take it so personally... it does not matter how I do it, and I have tried many ways. The worst thing is that once I have let people know how I am, they, like your neighbor, they suddenly act as if I am a bad person. They get angry when I tell them their dog was loose or won't smile back at me if we meet up at the mailbox or in town. It's like I'm not allowed to be friendly or concerned in a more quiet way.

I don't know how to help you, I just wanted to let you know that there is someone else out there like you.

 

[ranchhand]

I have a wireless headset for my phone. When the doorbell rings, I put it on my head, open the door and step outside, saying loudly "Hold on please, I have to answer the door." Then I explain quickly that I am on a business call. And step back in the house, closing and locking the door. Meanwhile, apologizing to the "caller" for making them wait.

If someone drops in when I am outside, I either put them to work or make them follow me all over. Some very nice men from LDS helped me weed one day. Except I practice good biosecurity measures and they are not allowed near my chickens or dogs. I always have chicken chores, so that's easy! One guy followed me into a run one day- I told him to leave and not come back.

I can also talk the hind leg off a donkey, so sometimes people leave knowing far more about chickens than they ever wanted to!

As far as your neighbor, don't let her make you move! Nag AC constantly, as nicely as you can, call daily. Contact the sheriff's office about a wolf. Call the health dept. about feeding feral and wild animals. Emphasize the rabies risks. Talk to the landlord about her tendency to hoard animals. That lease of hers may not be renewed if you play it right. Meanwhile, be nice to the lonely neighbor. And stay calm, you don't want any of those agencies to think you are the loony troublemaker, only that you are a concerned neighbor.

Keep your chickens confined, maintain the cleanest coop and run ever seen. Put a lock on the gates. No free ranging for now.

Take the high road, but draw as much attention to her issues as you can. Does she have a spouse? Sounds like she may need supervision if she is at risk for hoarding animals. Ask lots of questions, get all the info you can without giving any up.

Good luck, and remember the old adage: Work smarter, not harder.

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
See that's just it. What makes her a good neighbor? having no life so she has to follow me around. I live here too and I should be able to go out into my part of the space and be left alone. I don't mind once in a while but every day? Every time I am outside? And she does not want chickens, I already offered to help them build a pen.

I have no clue how to help you...just keep be being the way you are.. I'm sure she'll get tired of it..Good luck with your nice neighbor!