Sod your dog

Just a quickie today as I have been playing with a rather snotty K-pu for most of the day and we’re out at a party this evening.
Who knew holidays could be so very busy?

Last night was spent braai’ing, drinking plenty of red wine and wrapping presents while listening to next door’s dog howling because it had been left alone at home all day and all night again. Really – what is the point of having a dog if all it does is sits alone annoying the neighbours because you’re never there?

It’s like being a non-smoker in a pub – adversely affected by the totally selfish choices that other people have made. And it’s not like I can even make the choice not to go to this particular drinking establishment – I live here.
One thoughtful soul told me that if I wanted to live in a dog-free environment, I should move back to the City Bowl.
“Suburbia is for dog owners,” he boldly stated. “You have to accept that when you move there.”
But sod that – it shouldn’t be my problem: it should come down to the dog owner – when they make the choice to get a dog, then they should also accept the responsibility of making sure it doesn’t annoy their neighbours. I paid (and continue to pay) a lot to live here, they move in and make life a misery for everyone around.

I shouldn’t have to put up with the noise of their sodding mutt (yet, as I type, it is still howling).
Simply, it comes down to respect – and evidently my neighbours don’t have any of that for anyone living nearby.