Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: barking dogs

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Oct 20, 2017, at 1:11 PM, Dick Margulis <dick [at] dmargulis.com> wrote:

> That's life. Learning to accept that and to not overreact to it is part of 
> living in the world. I think the burden falls mostly on the person doing the 
> complaining to find a way to a more tolerant attitude.

I’ve heard this advice before, but it is or borders on blaming the victim. I 
was just talking with a woman from a new community that is struggling with this 
problem. Where is the line? If you are bothered, is that your problem?

After years of living above, below, and next to people who played music at 
ungodly decibels— one even when she wasn’t home—I drew the line at my walls. My 
unit is mine and If you want to play music in it, any time of day, you can pay 
my rent. I will send you a bill.

The concept of personal private space was actually very effective.

The DC law about dogs is that they must be under the control of the owner. A 
dog that barks more than a greeting is not under the control of the owner, and 
as you say, probably unhappy , or possibly unwell.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org