Arpie: Making Peace w/Dog Biscuits

Arpie ( re: “Arpie’s ethical dilemma here”): I showed up at the neighbor’s house this evening with a box of dog biscuits for Bandit and saw the tubes coming out of his neck. Not a good sign. At some point I should mention that I live in rural Bonner County. some nine miles south of Sandpoint. … We are all used to animals coming back hurt from journeys into the region. Whether this is from neighbor pets, cars, coyotes, or other wild animals, we rarely know. Indeed my neighbors spent some time tonight talking about other injuries their dogs had received in the past. In any case, at some point during our conversation, a vet bill was produced, and I told them we would take care of it. On my way out they gave me some garlic from their garden which I used some of for our family’s pasta dinner tonight. It was really good garlic.

Question: Have you ever gotten into a flap with a neighbor as a result of his dogs or yours?

Thanks for the great thoughts everyone. I was afraid I would be attacked via a good Spencer or Digger pile on. Lots of people gave lots of advice, but I am most glad for Jbelle’s reminder that graciousness is always the best way to go. I tried. I showed up at the neighbor’s house this evening with a box of dog biscuits for Bandit and saw the tubes coming out of his neck. Not a good sign.

At some point I should mention that I live in rural Bonner County. some nine miles south of Sandpoint. We live on five acres and most of our neighbors have more land than do we. People in general treat dogs differently in our area than in more urban areas. We are the only ones in our general area I know of who keep our dogs contained. Most neighbor dogs daily stop by and say hi to our dogs from the other side of the fence. We are all used to animals coming back hurt from journeys into the region. Whether this is from neighbor pets, cars, coyotes, or other wild animals, we rarely know.

Indeed my neighbors spent some time tonight talking about other injuries their dogs had received in the past.

In any case, at some point during our conversation, a vet bill was produced, and I told them we would take care of it. On my way out they gave me some garlic from their garden which I used some of for our family’s pasta dinner tonight. It was really good garlic.

Thanks again all.