To Eric, This relates to another animal lover whose backyard was being used to feed wild animals.
A woman who fed deer lived next door to me, and one day my wife counted thirty-two deer in our backyard, tearing up our plants and flowers.
She was also keeping raccoons in her garage and sharing a bedroom with a bear cub, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s inquiry after I phoned them! Fortunately, she received a ticket from the DEC, the animals were taken away, and she was prohibited from feeding deer.
In addition to suggesting websites, your correspondent should get in touch with her state’s environmental authorities to request that they stop her neighbor’s actions.
Conscientious Animal Lovers
To All Animal Lovers:This is quite risky and serious. In addition to the obvious danger posed by some of the animals themselves, the neighbor runs the chance of receiving a citation or fine even if she is not keeping the animals in her house because it is unlawful in many states to feed wild animals.
The authorities must step in if she refuses to listen to reason.
To Eric, Regarding a nice friend who allows her dog to jump in my pool, can you give me any advice?
One worry is that the dog’s nails or teeth might harm the vinyl liner of my inground pool. Furthermore, if the liner were destroyed, my friend would not likely volunteer to repair it and does not have the money to do so.
One of my $200 pool floats was destroyed by her dog’s chewing, and it was never replaced.
Additionally, the dog gets a little freaked out in the water and attempts to jump on me, biting me in the process. And it digs and runs through my gardens when it’s not in the pool.
It should go without saying that there should be no dogs in the pool. However, my friend finds it hilarious, and since she is such a close friend, I don’t want to offend her.
She and her spouse believe that their dog is the greatest thing ever, and they ask why anyone wouldn’t adore everything their dog does. She has already asked when the pool would open, so I know I should just say no dog, but it’s already established a pattern.
No Paddling with a Dog
To Paddling: Your rules, your pool. A new pool season is an excellent time to establish a new standard.
You can point to the shredded pool float, the biting and jumping, or just the fact that you’re no longer comfortable doing it. However, you have the right and the obligation to decide what is comfortable and safe, just like you would with any human in your pool.
Have this discussion beforehand. Additionally, don’t debate it. Although I adore your dog, I don’t want any dogs in my garden or in the pool. I want to keep my gardens intact, but I’m worried about the vinyl liner ripping. I hope you understand how much I enjoy spending time with you.
She might see this as a dog prohibition, but that isn’t the case. This is how you express your urge to feel secure and to guarantee the enjoyment and safety of everyone else. Refocus her on that subject if she pushes back.
To Eric, Here is a letter writer’s concept about pals inviting themselves over to use their pool while there isn’t a lifeguard on duty.
We could see our next-door neighbor’s pool over our fence when we were growing up in Monrovia, California. We wished we were in it.
According to our neighbor’s system, everyone in the area was invited to use the pool when she flew a white flag from a pole. Parents had to be there with their children.
There was a lot of socializing going on those afternoons because our neighbors were all pals. It was assumed that you would use the restroom before entering the pool and bring your own towel, water, and beverages.
The issue of people begging to use the pool was resolved by White Flag Day, which we youngsters loved.
Appreciative of a Generous Neighbor
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Dear Appreciative:This suggestion is fantastic! That one was a huge hit! It appears that a large portion of this column’s readership consists of persons with pool flag neighbors.
I’ve never lived in a neighborhood with swimming pools, so this is fascinating. This Fourth of July, I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for those flags as well.
Other readers drew attention to the liability pool owners’ presumptions and advised them to reconsider (at the very least) allowing friends to use it while they were away. It might be a good idea to decline requests respectfully by pointing out the risk.
Contact R. Eric Thomas with inquiries at [email protected] or by mail at P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Get his weekly email at rericthomas.com and follow him on Instagram at @oureric.
