didn't read the entire thread so isorry if something similar has been said.

When you see them be nice. You've said yourself that they most likely have good intentions. Just say something like :
"hey, i appreciate you guys leaving food out for my dog. But I have her on a specific diet, so could you not do it any more, or if you really want to give her something give her "xxxx" or an occasional bone would be a nice gesture. Preferably something smaller so it doesn't spoil her appetite. For a while she wasn't eating her regular meals and i didn't know why. Then I realized she had been eating what you were leaving out. I'm not upset or anything, and i think it's really nice of you, i just didn't know what was going on and want to keep an eye on what she is eating"

7/6/2006 3:37:51 PM

put the empty bowl in a bear trap

7/6/2006 3:38:19 PM

even better...

1 dig a deep hole and cover it with twigs
2 place bowl on twigs
3 wait

7/6/2006 3:46:36 PM

they probably thought you didn't care by continually returning the bowl without saying anything

as a matter of fact, i bet they thought you were being helpful by returning it so it could be washed

7/6/2006 3:55:58 PM

This happened with our neighbor (before she moved out and we bought her house). She was buying a pound or 2 of cheese and feeding them huge slices all day every day. They got really fat really quick but wouldn't eat their food. We then saw her doing it, and politely asked her not to do that because our dogs were suddenly huge. My little dog is supposed to be about 15 pounds, and she was about 25 pounds. She's still not losing the weight, although she's on a diet-but that's beside the point. But the lady got our dogs so spoiled that they still will suddenly change food preferences within a month and will go without eating.
Anyway, we saw her keep doing it and told her that if she didn't quit, they were going to die. We told her that they were our dogs and we feed them daily and she had no business feeding our dogs. Since the first time didn't work, we had to get a little mean; but she did quit. You should try telling them that you have YOUR dog on a strict diet because she has IBS or something. And that she is fed well, and not to feed her anymore no matter how pittiful she looks or how much begging she does. Be passive and nice the first time, if it happens again-lay it down.

7/6/2006 8:01:46 PM

Quote :

"oatmeally shit "

7/6/2006 8:10:31 PM

return the bowl with a note that says something to the effect of 'thank you for being concerned about my dog, but he/she really does get enough food from me, and doesn't need anything extra.'

7/6/2006 8:44:45 PM

Put the dog inside

7/6/2006 10:37:29 PM

bingo

[Edited on July 7, 2006 at 2:29 AM. Reason : ^^]

7/7/2006 2:28:51 AM

Wait until their grandkids come to visit. When they enter the backyard to play, waylay them with a twinkie on a string. Once in your power, ply them with junkfood until they resemble Barney. After this, the grandkids' interest in oatmeal cookies (the batter of which is probably where the "dogfood" is coming from) is going to plummet. Drop all the wrappers in the dog's food bowl with a note that says, "Would you like to sit down and talk this over with me now?" Sign it "Kim Jong-Illin."

7/7/2006 3:12:45 AM

if they are elderly, they are probably lonely and like to give your dog attention because they don't have anyone else to lavish with affection. you shouldn't be cruel to them. try to figure out some way they can interact with your dog without overfeeding it. but if it gets really bad, if they have to open the gate, why not just put a lock on it from the inside?

7/7/2006 3:50:46 AM

leave some bottles of ensure on their porch laced with arsenic

7/7/2006 4:00:12 AM

matter is resolved.

to suggest that i should keep my dog locked up inside the house, because a neighbor was trespassing into my backyard seems silly. my dog shouldn't be punished because some people don't know how to mind their own business.

why should i, or my dog, be burdened with confinement, locks, etc. when we're the "victims"?

[Edited on July 7, 2006 at 9:44 AM. Reason : ]

7/7/2006 9:43:11 AM

make your neighbors "drink the bucket"

7/7/2006 9:55:38 AM

as far as i know, them and the japs across the street could be war criminals hiding out here. i should call the world police on them.

7/7/2006 10:03:04 AM

you could always just get your own place and not mooch off of your parents

7/7/2006 10:09:14 AM

First, introduce yourself, because they are your neighbors. Then, just mention your puppy, and I'm sure you will find out all the information you'll ever need in order to develop a perspective on your neighbors motives. Then just kindly explain his delicate diet situation, and thank them for their compassionate ways anyway.

yadda... yadda... yadda...

7/7/2006 10:56:06 AM

Quote :

"matter is resolved."

what happened? finish the story

7/7/2006 10:57:59 AM

i went over early this morning, and smoke to mr. miller. to paraphrase, "hey, mr. miller. i've noticed you've been feeding annie. i need you to stop. i have her on a specific diet and schedule recommended by my vet. you feeding her is detrimental to that. i appreciate the gesture though."

he apologized, and said the reason he was feeding my dog was because they felt the dog my sister had before wasn't getting enough food (which could very well be true. my sisters are lazy as fuck). they thought that my dog might've been underfed in the same way. also, what they were feeding her was something of a rice porridge. they used to feed the same stuff to their dogs back in germany.

i explained what i was feeding annie was some of the best dog food on the market, and she was getting the proper amount. i also told him that i was more concerned about how much they were giving my dog, moreso than them actually feeding her.

they're like my mom in that they'll feed something until they don't eat anymore. they figure pudginess is a sign of a being well fed, and that a person (or dog in this case) that's lean is unhealthy.

i told mr. miller that they may leave water out for annie since the water i leave out could evaporate before i refill it.

[Edited on July 7, 2006 at 11:30 PM. Reason : ]

7/7/2006 11:29:20 PM

What exactly is it about expensive dog food that makes it better that something like a rice-porridge+other stuff couldn't fulfill?

7/7/2006 11:39:23 PM

i don't know the chemical and nutrionial breakdowns, and i don't care really. i'm buying into the advertisment. i do know that cheaper brands use alot of fillers in their food, like corn, that your dog really shouldn't eat.

my vet explained to me that dry dog food is better than canned food, because the canned food has additives that are bad for the dog's teeth. the canned food, and cheaper dry brands, contain more fatty additives as well. better food brands aren't full of by-products, and they contain a great mixture of lamb, chicken, or beef with a balance of grains and minerals.

basically, it's like eating fast food vs. going to a restaurant. the fast food may be cheaper and curb your hunger, but it's not really healthy for you. besides, if i can afford better dog food, then why not? i've been considering making her food at home, like the neighbor's porridge, but i haven't gotten around to doing the research necessary for that.

7/7/2006 11:56:53 PM

corn isn't bad for dogs

7/8/2006 1:28:14 PM

yes it is. dogs may have a hard time digesting corn. corn (along with soy and wheat) is also one of the leading allergens for dogs. for the record, purina one does contain some corn, but it's not one of the main ingredients so it's okay.

7/8/2006 1:42:08 PM

Quote :

"yes it is. dogs may have a hard time digesting corn. corn (along with soy and wheat) is also one of the leading allergens for dogs. for the record, purina one does contain some corn, but it's not one of the main ingredients so it's okay."

Actually, thats not really true. Corn allergies in dogs is pretty rare and most of it is digested if we are talking food grade corn and not a dust filler grade of corn. In fact, beef and chicken are more common allergies in dogs than corn. Wheat is a pretty common allergy though. Oh and if your pet is allergic to a food substance then its not ok if its just a minor ingredient... trace amounts are enough to cause allergic reactions. We have to keep our dog on a fish and potato food and only give it very specific snacks (no traditional store bought treats).

7/9/2006 12:10:21 AM

Ah, suggesting the "Japs" and the German neighbors are guilty of war crimes...that's wonderful, superchevy.

This whole thread is kinda weird. I think it's weird that you weren't sure what to do about this situation. I also think it's weird that you thought putting the food bowl back on their porch was a sign for them to knock it off. I also think it's weird that you're not upset that they suggested that your sisters were underfeeding their dog--even if your sisters are lazy, accusing somebody of mistreating their animals (not feeding them enough, in this case) is a big deal.

[Edited on July 9, 2006 at 12:36 AM. Reason : sss]

7/9/2006 12:36:07 AM

1: Post a thread about it on TWW

2: .....

3: Profit

7/9/2006 12:50:26 AM

i didn't read anything past the first post but i'm pretty surprised you seem to be so clueless on waht to do.

they've lived next to your parents for 15 years & are going to live there after you deal with this. so be nice. walk over, say hello, say you've noticed the food bowl & ask them politely not to feed your dog. explain that you have her on a specific diet/schedule, etc. if they are argumentative remain friendly, even if they think you're an idiot they should still agree to stop feeding your dog. if they don't, walk away & return within the next day or two. if they aren't reasonable after that you can start yelling at them & calling the police, etc.

7/9/2006 12:59:33 AM

I think you handled it well.

[Edited on July 9, 2006 at 1:04 AM. Reason : profit]

7/9/2006 1:03:15 AM

^ nice to see you read the thread

Quote :

"Wait until their grandkids come to visit. When they enter the backyard to play, waylay them with a twinkie on a string. Once in your power, ply them with junkfood until they resemble Barney. After this, the grandkids' interest in oatmeal cookies (the batter of which is probably where the "dogfood" is coming from) is going to plummet. Drop all the wrappers in the dog's food bowl with a note that says, "Would you like to sit down and talk this over with me now?" Sign it "Kim Jong-Illin.""

maybe because it's late, but I laughed a bit too hard at this

7/9/2006 1:06:07 AM

you people need to learn how to just talk to people instead of getting all worked up over something that can be solved easily.

7/9/2006 2:37:07 AM

Quote :

"BridgetSPK All American 10657 Posts user info edit post Ah, suggesting the "Japs" and the German neighbors are guilty of war crimes...that's wonderful, superchevy. This whole thread is kinda weird. I think it's weird that you weren't sure what to do about this situation. I also think it's weird that you thought putting the food bowl back on their porch was a sign for them to knock it off. I also think it's weird that you're not upset that they suggested that your sisters were underfeeding their dog--even if your sisters are lazy, accusing somebody of mistreating their animals (not feeding them enough, in this case) is a big deal."

Always funny when somebody who has not seen a movie does not get the movie reference and overreacts.

Just for reference, team america, world police, the satyrical puppet movie, would be the source of the 'world police' comment in the statement below, wich is obviosly meant to be read as a joke. Doubly so since it came AFTER his post stating that the matter was resolved, thus after he had already made peace with the neighbors and worked it all out.

Quote :

"superchevy All American 16953 Posts user info edit post as far as i know, them and the japs across the street could be war criminals hiding out here. i should call the world police on them. "

7/9/2006 2:56:27 AM

^I saw the movie in the theater: it sucked. And satyrical? Also, he didn't have to use the word "Japs" to make the World Police reference. You know that. And I honestly can't tell when he's joking. He made a misogynistic comment earlier today and followed it with "" I thought it was a joke, but he claims he wasn't joking.

[Edited on July 9, 2006 at 3:11 AM. Reason : satyrical????]

7/9/2006 3:08:00 AM

btw, canned food is worse for teeth because it's not crunchy, not because it has additives. dry food is hard and scrapes off tartar and stuff when the dogs chew it up. canned food is a waste of money unless your pet specifically needs extra water in his diet.
purina one is a good food, but it's not top of line either.

7/9/2006 9:44:53 AM

nobody likes a know-it-all.

7/9/2006 11:16:25 AM

Science Diet is where it's at... my dogs love the lamb and rice

7/9/2006 4:38:25 PM

corn takes 3 stomachs to properly digest.

7/9/2006 4:58:18 PM

this thread is dumb

7/9/2006 5:16:36 PM

1. ^ i agree.

2.

Quote :

"Oh and if your pet is allergic to a food substance then its not ok if its just a minor ingredient... trace amounts are enough to cause allergic reactions."

annie isn't allergic to corn. i just threw the allergen fact in there for information. corn is still unhealthy for dogs. i'm not saying that the corn, additives, perservatives, etc. will kill a dog. i'm just saying they're not the best (healthy) stuff. the same could be said for humans. like i said before, it's basically a difference between choosing fast food, or a more healthy, natural diet.

3. everyone would do better to just laugh at whatever bridgetspk posts.

4.

Quote :

"btw, canned food is worse for teeth because it's not crunchy, not because it has additives. dry food is hard and scrapes off tartar and stuff when the dogs chew it up. canned food is a waste of money unless your pet specifically needs extra water in his diet. purina one is a good food, but it's not top of line either."

i didn't say dry food was better than canned food because of the additives. actually, looks like i did. but i also already knew that the dry food helps keep teeth clean of tarter, etc. ) i also know purina one isn't the best. the high premium brands are more expensive than i'm willing to spend right now. i chose purina one because i feel that it's the best of the premium foods, and it's also very easy to find - pretty much sold in every store that sells dog food. it's not filet mignon, but it's not rump roast either. actually, most high premium brands really aren't always the best food either.

5.

Quote :

"Science Diet is where it's at... my dogs love the lamb and rice"

science diet isn't worth the money. purina one is just as good, if not better, while being a few bucks cheaper.

i've found that life's abundance to be the best commercial dog food. it costs about the same as purina one ($15-17), but has better ingredients. the problem is that brand is that it is hard to find.

6.

Quote :

"^What happened to calling me fat?"

meh.

[Edited on July 9, 2006 at 5:48 PM. Reason : ]

7/9/2006 5:30:56 PM

^What happened to calling me fat?

7/9/2006 5:33:56 PM