advice please, oh wise ones......

[knowbody0]

A very eccentric 55 year old woman bought the house across the street about six months ago. Beautiful home, new oak hardwood floors, new kitchen, bath, landscaped to perfection, blah blah blah. With four blood hounds, and a wee terrier. She is charming, and really wants to be my bud. Because of the dogs, I avoid entering her home. Every time I talk to her she cries, and I mean really falls apart, needs hugs and stuff.

These dogs open the gates of hell with their howling bouts at all hours of the day and night. I had not been "in" her house for three months or so until yesterday. I do not have breathing problems (asthma etc) but within a few minutes I was wheezing, gasping, needing to go outside. I was fine immediately.

The dogs own the house. Great huge dogs, on couches, in her bed, all over. They are filthy from the mud in the yard. (no lawn left now) She has another wee dog now for a total of six, the new guy just lifts his leg and pees right in front of her.

Clearly, this lovable woman needs intervention of some sort. She is approx 4'10" and weighs about 200 pounds. Speaks of her Lithium dosage and heart medication.

I feel like I should do something. She is fragile emotionally and physically. These dogs drool constantly and do not listen to her commands. No one visits her, she has a son in California.

So, any ideas would be very appreciated.

[Maine-ah]

1. I have no advice

though it seems your heart is in the right place. She sounds much like my own Mom, I imagine she is rather lonely.

[knowbody0]

3. yes, very lonely

Hope your mum is ok

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Maybe ask the ASPCA (or whoever does this in your area) to check on her and her dogs

It may be that the dogs need more care and attention than she can give them, and it may open up to getting her some help and services if she needs them.

Would explain it all to the ASPCA people hypothetically to see what might come of this before actually asking to make a report.

[knowbody0]

4. I did the hypothetical thing -

Left a message with someone. sigh.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Tough thing to do

But, from what you described, sounds like the situation and that woman needs some help and interventio.

Update about it later if you can. :hug:

[Javaman]

5. Wait till the house is totally wrecked and the woman is hospitalized

and take it off her hands for a song. Then flip it. :evilgrin:

[EFerrari]

8. Humanitarian!

:spank:

[Javaman]

9. LOL

Evil! EVIL!!! :evilgrin:

[EFerrari]

7. Find a local NAMI chapter and get their input.

They may even know her already.

Good for you for asking. :toast:

[Zoigal]

10. Does your

area have a local support group for those with BiPolar disorder? They might be able to give you some ideas
as how to help her. Since she has mentioned taking lithium that could be the problem.

Don't know your area, but there may be dog groups that could give suggestions...perhaps a bloodhound group on line.

She really sounds like she needs some serious help. Thanks for caring.

[EFerrari]

11. Hi there, Zoigal. Welcome to DU

:)

[BluePatriot]

12. See if family can stay in touch

The homeowners association could be a good place to find someone interested with keeping her acquaintance / stopping in every once in a while. Definitely keep family informed of concerns.

*parents have similar neighbor w/son in another state
*one day they found her wandering around in diabetic shock and her dog had bit her
*they just try and keep an eye on her....

[hedgehog]

13. Can you contact the son?

It's possible that he's given up on her and has gotten as far away as he can. On the other hand, he may be worried about her but is tied to his location becaue of his job, other family, etc. He may appreciate having a local contact and may be able to arrange some help.