Nosy neighbor = me?

[vraiblonde]

My neighbors live elsewhere and this is their vacation home, they're here for the holidays. Last night they went out and this morning at 5am when I walked Gretel I noticed their car wasn't there. It's now 8:30am and they're still not home. I'm not particularly Gladys, but I'm a bit concerned because they have two dogs and it would be unusual for them to leave the dogs overnight....unless they rented a Gulf front hotel room to watch the fireworks and spend the night, and took the dogs with them, which makes sense.

I'm friendly enough with them that I have a key to their house in case of emergency (they also know where my emergency key is) but not friendly enough to want to be intrusive. I'd never dream of entering their home without them asking me to, and the only reason I'm concerned is because of the dogs. If they got mowed down by drunken Florida Man there's nothing I can do about that, but I *can* feed and walk the dogs until someone comes to get them.

What I'm *going* to do is wait it out for another day because I know if the dogs are in there they were left food/water to last them for at least 24 hours. The worst is that they'll poop and pee inside, but that can be dealt with. I'm sure it's fine and I'm just being a busybody. If I don't see or hear from them by tonight I'll text them a "Happy New Year!" and see what I get back.

So what would you do?

 

[ontheriver]

My neighbors live elsewhere and this is their vacation home, they're here for the holidays. Last night they went out and this morning at 5am when I walked Gretel I noticed their car wasn't there. It's now 8:30am and they're still not home. I'm not particularly Gladys, but I'm a bit concerned because they have two dogs and it would be unusual for them to leave the dogs overnight....unless they rented a Gulf front hotel room to watch the fireworks and spend the night, and took the dogs with them, which makes sense.

I'm friendly enough with them that I have a key to their house in case of emergency (they also know where my emergency key is) but not friendly enough to want to be intrusive. I'd never dream of entering their home without them asking me to, and the only reason I'm concerned is because of the dogs. If they got mowed down by drunken Florida Man there's nothing I can do about that, but I *can* feed and walk the dogs until someone comes to get them.

What I'm *going* to do is wait it out for another day because I know if the dogs are in there they were left food/water to last them for at least 24 hours. The worst is that they'll poop and pee inside, but that can be dealt with. I'm sure it's fine and I'm just being a busybody. If I don't see or hear from them by tonight I'll text them a "Happy New Year!" and see what I get back.

So what would you do?

Text them later today. I have a neighbor who stays with her daughter up the road a lot. That's what I'd do.

 

[Sneakers]

Text them later today.

If you have a key, you probably have a phone #. Contact them.

 

[vraiblonde]

If you have a key, you probably have a phone #. Contact them.

I don't want to be all "where are you??" It's none of my business where they are. If I don't see/hear from them by this evening or tomorrow morning I'll text them.

 

[GregV814]

there are all kinds of people in this world.... you have the New Yorkers that casually watch a woman burn on a train and do NOTHING (85%) and you have Good Samaritans that actually watch out for other people...

Be the 15!!!

 

[my-thyme]

Text them a Happy New Year. May shake them to saying "We forgot to ask you, can you go take the dogs out?".

Or, "We took the dogs to an ocean front hotel to watch the fireworks, see you later today!".

 

[PJay]

now I'm worried about the dogs that may be home alone...

 

[Kyle]

So what would you do?

Ring the doorbell and see if the dogs bark.

 

[vraiblonde]

now I'm worried about the dogs that may be home alone...

The dogs can be home alone just fine, and I'm positive they were left plenty of food and water.

 

[vraiblonde]

The dogs can be home alone just fine, and I'm positive they were left plenty of food and water.

As I typed that I got a text from the wife to see if I wanted to meet them for brunch, so all is well.

I was just curious what everyone else would do in this situation. My neighbor across the street checks on me if she hasn't seen/spoken to me all day and I appreciate it. If I were going away for any length of time, even overnight, I'd let her know. I like knowing that if I got in a car wreck or something, she'd come over and rescue Gretel. But just because I appreciate that sort of thing doesn't mean everyone does.

 

[PJay]

all is well.

 

[Sneakers]

My neighbor across the street checks on me if she hasn't seen/spoken to me all day and I appreciate it. If I were going away for any length of time, even overnight, I'd let her know. I like knowing that if I got in a car wreck or something, she'd come over and rescue Gretel. But just because I appreciate that sort of thing doesn't mean everyone does.

This is exactly the relationship I have with my neighbors. I too appreciate it. That's why I suggested contacting them, because it's what I would have done, and my neighbors and I absolutely do not consider it odd or nosy or anything of the sort. A wellness check.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

Checking on a neighbor is a good thing once they are past a certain age. If someone had noticed my mom hadn't been seen for a couple days the fallout from her stroke may not have been as bad.

 

[RoseRed]

Not nosey. My neighbors and I keep an eye out on each others homes and also have keys. If we see something out of the ordinary, we call or text. In fact, I sent them a text last night just as an fyi that I was spending the night at moms house.

 

[ontheriver]

As I've said before, I love my neighbors. I don't borrow sugar or anything (lol) but this is what good neighbors do. Don't feel bad or nosey at all.
I bet they'll appreciate your concern.

 

[SamSpade]

I'm glad there are neighbors like this.

I worked with a man - very fit, very healthy, but he lived alone, never married, in his 60's -

And he had a stroke. He was on the floor for almost two days before anyone came by. He died some weeks later, but I do think if someone had looked in on him EARLIER - he might have survived.

 

[RoseRed]

I'm glad there are neighbors like this.

I worked with a man - very fit, very healthy, but he lived alone, never married, in his 60's -

And he had a stroke. He was on the floor for almost two days before anyone came by. He died some weeks later, but I do think if someone had looked in on him EARLIER - he might have survived.

I completely understand this.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

I'm glad there are neighbors like this.

I worked with a man - very fit, very healthy, but he lived alone, never married, in his 60's -

And he had a stroke. He was on the floor for almost two days before anyone came by. He died some weeks later, but I do think if someone had looked in on him EARLIER - he might have survived.

That was my mom's story

 

[vraiblonde]

That was my mom's story

Terrible.

But there are a lot of people who aren't friendly with their neighbors and wouldn't appreciate "being spied on" so I wonder if those types have ever thought about having a backup in case something happens? Honestly if it were just me I wouldn't worry about it but I hate the thought of Gretel suffering. Most of my immediate neighbors and my two former office mates know how to get into my house if necessary.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

Terrible.

But there are a lot of people who aren't friendly with their neighbors and wouldn't appreciate "being spied on" so I wonder if those types have ever thought about having a backup in case something happens? Honestly if it were just me I wouldn't worry about it but I hate the thought of Gretel suffering. Most of my immediate neighbors and my two former office mates know how to get into my house if necessary.

A dog will sit there and mourn you, loyal to the end. A cat will just start eating you if necessary.