Attacked by neighbor''s rottweiler...

[Aloros]

I agree with CaptAubrey. Your neighbor''s story is getting so far-fetched. You jumped out of the bushes and surprised her and her dog because you were hungry?? That is just too bizarre. All the physical evidence points towards the truth. Hang in there, Mandarine, this girl is going to get her comeuppance in the end. Take care of yourself. I know it must be really awful for you, especially since you''re not seeing much action taken yet. Anyone else in your situation would be a complete wreck (I know I would!), and that has no bearing on how strong you are.

I had a roommate once who sounds a lot like your neighbor.

People like this just make me so angry! You could have been killed and now she''s laying the blame on you. Grrrrr!

 

[Shay37]

Dear sweet Mandarine, I am so sorry to hear that your neighbor once again took the opportunity to show her a$$ in public. It must stink to be her.

You have nothing to apologize for or be upset about. You deal with these things as best you can and get through them however you must. If that means that you need to speak to someone in a professional capacity, then you do it with no sense of shame or copping out. don''t be too hard on yourself about the ciggies. I would have had a perpetual cloud of smoke over me at this point in what you''re going through. (you know, two in the ashtray and one in each hand)

I think that contrary to what you think about yourself that you are one of the strongest people I have had the pleasure to encounter. You have kept your sense of sweetness and decency when it would be very easy to lose that and become like them. Don''t let them do that to you. The world needs more of you. HUGS

shay

 

[anchor31]

I can''t believe how stupid some people can be about their pets...

I''m sorry you''re going through this Mandarine, you''re in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Mandarine]

Thank you everyone.

I had not thought about having to say about the dog if I did rent my house out. Obviously I would have to do this...it just had not even crossed my mind...but then again, my mind is not working very well...hehe. Thank you for bringing this up!!. Just one more thing to have to deal with I guess.

I have decided I''m not going to make any rush decisions and will stay put at my BF''s house at least until Feb 20th (we leave on a ski trip Feb 14th...so that will help too. If I feel better before then and feel like I can go home, then I will...but I''m not going to force it.

I have an appointment to see a therapist on Monday. I hope it helps and if anything I will be able to express myself and feelings.

Someone asked me how I found the criminal records for the neighbor''s family. It''s public info...it''s actually posted on the internet. You just need to know their name/address and other basic info that I had from the police report and the County''s website provides the links.

Someone also mentioned about taking pictures of the sidewalks...I will definitely do this, thanks for the tip!. Tomorrow me and my BF are going down there and spending the night. I will gather more pictures and will also try to talk to the neighbor that saw this lady yelling at me. This one neighbor also says how this rott takes the girl for a walk, not the other way around. He''s always been a little scared of that dog. He''s an older guy from NY, sweet as he can be...first words out of his mouth when I told him: Sue them honey, you don''t deserve this!.

. I think he would give a statement if I asked him (to describe how this dog has always seemed out of control, talk about how she came outside to yell at me, etc).

I''m glad I can work from home and have that flexibility....but boy do I miss the office (never thought I would say that! hehe). I think having people around me during the day would help lift my spirits and if anything will help me talk about other things. Oh well, is just not an option right now. It''s a long drive down there to make it everyday....

My BF is pushing me to go exercise with him tonight. I don''t feel like it at all but I know it will be good for me, so I''m going...he''s been so great through this whole thing. He''s been an angel and so supportive....thank God!! I don''t have any family here (or anywhere near here!) so it''s tought going through this without having that family support..

Sorry if I missed any questions. Thank you all for your support and advice....you have all been so great and it really means a lot to me to see that the majority of people ARE good people. PS is full of good people

Shay, thank you for that message, it''s one of the nicest messages I''ve ever gotten...and I needed that

....it brought tears to my eyes (as many other have today throughout the day!!!).

I will get through this. I will not let them control the way I deal with this or put me down. They''re bad people and I don''t wish them anything bad...I don''t have to...karma will get to them when it''s time. What goes around...

Big big hugs!...I know, I love hugs...I''m a hugger!

M~

 

[Hopes]

Big hugs!!

I forgot to mention, you were definitely in my thoughts last night!

I had a nightmare that my ankles got bitten by a dog in several places while I was walking down the street, and there were these bloody spots on my leg. So you see, you''re not as crazy as me by getting bothered over this, because it actually happened to you! It''s definitely a traumatic experience that takes some time to get over, and I hope you take your time and get the much needed mental rest. Take care Mandarine!

 

[Kaleigh]

I''m so glad you are going to see a therapist on Monday. I think it will help you a lot. All of what you are feeing is completely normal. I can''t imagine all that you have had to endure through all of this. I think you are an incredibly strong woman. You have conducted yourself with such class. Hang in there, and
{{{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}}}}}}

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/25/2007 5:44:07 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I''m so glad you are going to see a therapist on Monday. I think it will help you a lot. All of what you are feeing is completely normal. I can''t imagine all that you have had to endure through all of this. I think you are an incredibly strong woman. You have conducted yourself with such class. Hang in there, and
{{{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}}}}}}

Couldn''t have said it better myself.

 

[IrishAngel7982]

More hugs!!!

I''m so sorry M!! I absolutely believe talking to someone about this will help you. The anxiety you''re feeling won''t go away if you leave the neighborhood. Good luck sweetie and you''re in my prayers!!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 1/25/2007 4:49:07 PM
Author: Mandarine
first words out of his mouth when I told him: Sue them honey, you don''t deserve this!.

.

remember when you said you weren''t the type to sue? I bet you''re feeling pretty close right about now, huh? LOL ::shaking head:: they deserve it, and unfortunately it might be the only way to get action from them. Are they refusing to pay medical?

 

[Mandarine]

Thank you everyone

I am suing them. At the beginning they offered to pay medical...but things have changed and right now I don''t know. Last time we "talked" was when they said "tell us what you want us to pay and we''ll tell you what we will pay". Right.

If they are going to court to try to avoid paying the $500 ticket from animal control by saying I provoked the dog then I doubt they will be kind enought to cover my bills without putting me through hell first. So that part is being taken care of with the lawyer...they have already received the letter and have 30 days to put their insurance company on notice.

My lawyer asked me to put some information together this weekend (pictures, timelines, medical records, etc). Just to get everything I have to him so I need to go back and get it all organized. I''ve pretty much posted everything here so I can double check my notes!, so once again PS will help me

Tonight me and my BF are going to my house. We''ll see how I feel, hopefully we won''t even see them...although I''m hoping to see the dog at the window (just so that I can take pictures!). I''m also taking more pictures of where it happenned, etc.

I''ll keep you posted!!!

M~

 

[poptart]

Good job Mandarine! But I''m sorry it had to go this far. Do you have eyewitnesses that can say you didn''t provoke the dog? I don''t know about any of this... but it might be a detail they will try to exploit if you don''t have someone backing you up saying that you were walking away from the dog on purpose. Just a thought. Good luck!

*M*

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 1/26/2007 11:53:14 AM
Author: Mandarine
Thank you everyone

I am suing them. At the beginning they offered to pay medical...but things have changed and right now I don''t know. Last time we ''talked'' was when they said ''tell us what you want us to pay and we''ll tell you what we will pay''. Right.

If they are going to court to try to avoid paying the $500 ticket from animal control by saying I provoked the dog then I doubt they will be kind enought to cover my bills without putting me through hell first. So that part is being taken care of with the lawyer...they have already received the letter and have 30 days to put their insurance company on notice.

My lawyer asked me to put some information together this weekend (pictures, timelines, medical records, etc). Just to get everything I have to him so I need to go back and get it all organized. I''ve pretty much posted everything here so I can double check my notes!, so once again PS will help me

Tonight me and my BF are going to my house. We''ll see how I feel, hopefully we won''t even see them...although I''m hoping to see the dog at the window (just so that I can take pictures!). I''m also taking more pictures of where it happenned, etc.

I''ll keep you posted!!!

M~

Okay this is important - when collecting all of that, record how much time you spent missing work, even changing bandaids - how much TIME you spent at the ER and dr appts, how much of your day was sacrificed by not being able to use your arm etc. At this point you deserve pain and suffering as well.

I totally feel ya - we didn''t want ANYTHING from our neighbors except get rid of the dog and pay the medical but it just didn''t work like that... in the end they kept their dog but because we refused to settle without their insurance being involved it forced the whole "vicous dog" thing to be on their homeowners insurance. The lawyer told me that *I* could have made a claim for MY time and the trauma to me but only if we went to a trial and I just wanted it over.

Just write it all down - every inconvenience, every bit of time - get it all out there and you''ll find that your time is worth money too.

 

[Mandarine]

Thank you Poptart!. I''m sorry it got to this too, but I don''t see any other way to resolve it. My mom is a witness in the sense that she saw that it didn''t happen where they say it did (this is right in front of my kitchen''s window and my mom was there doing the dishes). My mom also did see me taking a shortcut throguh the grass and wondered why. Another neighbor also saw the "aftermath" when I came out of the dark (from the shortcut).

Thanks again for your advice Cehrabehra! Those are all great points so thanks! All of your messages have been key for me!. I started massaging the skin yesterday by the way (with vitamin E). There are lumps all over (even a few inches away from the actual wounds) is that normal?. I understand the lumps/knots under the actual punctures and lacerations...but I don''t understand the other ones...and they''re very tender/sore. Maybe I should have a Doctor check it out...does anyone know what kind of specialist would be best? or should I just give it time?

Today has been a better day

. Let''s see how I feel when I get home!

Hugs,

M~

 

[strmrdr]

prayers continue.
sorry to hear that this continues to be a nightmare for you :{

 

[KimberlyH]

Date: 1/26/2007 4:08:46 PM
Author: strmrdr
prayers continue.
sorry to hear that this continues to be a nightmare for you :{

Ditto. I continue to think of you and am just so sad for you having had this experience.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 1/26/2007 2:40:58 PM
Author: Mandarine
Thank you Poptart!. I''m sorry it got to this too, but I don''t see any other way to resolve it. My mom is a witness in the sense that she saw that it didn''t happen where they say it did (this is right in front of my kitchen''s window and my mom was there doing the dishes). My mom also did see me taking a shortcut throguh the grass and wondered why. Another neighbor also saw the ''aftermath'' when I came out of the dark (from the shortcut).

Thanks again for your advice Cehrabehra! Those are all great points so thanks! All of your messages have been key for me!. I started massaging the skin yesterday by the way (with vitamin E). There are lumps all over (even a few inches away from the actual wounds) is that normal?. I understand the lumps/knots under the actual punctures and lacerations...but I don''t understand the other ones...and they''re very tender/sore. Maybe I should have a Doctor check it out...does anyone know what kind of specialist would be best? or should I just give it time?

Today has been a better day

. Let''s see how I feel when I get home!

Hugs,

M~

yeah the lumps are normal - there is tissue growing under the skin to repair the injuries and there are swollen areas that might be fighting some internal infection (nothing to lose sleep over - just healing) and that''s good that you''re rubbing them - as soon as you can, rub them HARD to really work the collegen and prevent that thick scar tissue. Don''t do it if it hurts, just do it as hard as you can at that time... eventually hard enough like you''re working a knot out in someone''s back. It''ll take weeks maybe a couple months to do it so don''t expect to be able to break it up instantly LOL

 

[Mara]

mandarine i don''t even know what to say other than i am SO SORRY that you are having to go through such a horrible time. these people sound so evil. it''s very sad because there are people like this in the world and sometimes it feels like they outweigh the good .... but just hang in there. you are doing the right thing... i know it must be really mentally draining to have to be emotionally and physically healing and having to deal with this all at the same time. but remember you WILL come out of it a better person and a stronger person even if it feels like you have to really struggle to get there.

greg asked if you have considered going to the television station. i know you are suiing them and all that and maybe don''t want to jeopardize the case, but i would talk to your lawyer about that (though maybe he won''t want you to...if he is trying to get this to court or whatever who knows) and just seriously consider it. think these people want bad press? probably not. think they want TV cameras in front of their house? interviewing character witnesses? nope.

and let me just tell you that i would not have been able to stop myself from going off on this seriously deluded psycho woman...probably not good for the case though...haha. hang in there sweetie and don''t be too hard on yourself on the smoking. yes it''d be nice if you didn''t have that to worry about too (can you chew the gum or something?) but you''ve been through so much, i''m sure it is calming your nerves a bit. and yes definitely go see and talk to someone who can help you out. good luck !!

 

[Madam Bijoux]

It''s a shame that the situation deteriorated to this point. Suing them is the best way to go.

 

[Mandarine]

Hi everyone

I''m sitting at my house. Feeling a little anxious but ok. I haven''t seen them but did see the dog through the window. He wasn''t jumping though, I just saw him laying down and I was quiet so he wouldn''t hear us outside!

We took some pictures this morning of where it all happenned, it seems so surreal!.

I saw my other neighbors and the guy said he ran into one of the association''s members and said he felt so sorry about all of this. He said they were all with me and wished they could help me out. He also mentioned that seeing those pictures he can''t even imagine what I went through and I should go get some professional help because I seemed very emotional, understandbly so..hehe, I guess it IS that obvious!

This morning I went to my Rumba class at the gym. I had not been to any of my classes since this incident and it felt good to see everyone. I couldn''t do all the "moves", but had a good time so that''s good

I don''t think going to the media at this point is a good idea, but I did think that maybe it would be good to spread the word around my cul-de-sac so that everyone gives them the evil eye

. I''ll talk to my lawyer first though.

Thank you everyone for your nice notes and for keeping me in your thoughts

M~

 

[IrishAngel7982]

Mandarine~
I also am sorry that this is still a nightmare for you. I know you didn''t want to involve a lawsuit, but I am relieved to hear that you are moving forward with your lawyer. If nothing else, you should not be responsible for the medical bills you incurred throughout this whole ordeal. Sometimes a lawsuit is the only way. It also sounds like you''ve got everything going in your favor, so I''m hoping the process is as painless as possible for you.
*Hugs*

 

[FireGoddess]

I am so sorry it has come to this. It''s just typical. When it first happened they were so shocked and KNEW it was their fault and totally freaked out, and said of course, we will pay anything, we will do anything, we are so sorry. And then time goes by and they start to think ''it wasn''t that bad'' and ''the nerve of her trying to get our dog removed'' or whatever and in their deludedness (is that a word?!) they start to shift the blame to you. And now they are not only trying to get away with doing nothing, they are making your life hell. They make me sick. I am glad you are pursuing this with your lawyer. You''ve been given good advice about documenting everything. I hope you get those *&$(@#*.

 

[janinegirly]

mandarine, hope things get better! on a side topic, what kind of work do you do at home? I''d love to work at home and just want to know how to accommplish that! (haha).

And i have to say your bf has been amazing. Honestly, I don''t know too many men who would be that attentive and understanding, or at least maybe just the ones around me. you are very lucky in that area, and what a testament to the husband material he is!!

 

[Mandarine]

Good morning!

Thank you Irishangel, FG and Janine for your nice notes

I had my first day of therapy yesterday!. Before going and since I''ve been feeling ok lately (because I''ve been at BF''s house and there are no new developments that have upset me) I was like "hmm..I wonder if I still need this, I think it might be a waste of time because I feel better already".

Well...2 minutes after I sat down to talk to her I was crying and with the kleenex box right on my lap....haha. I''ve never been to any kind of "therapy" but let me tell you...we''re all far more transparent than what we think we are!. It was good. She was very nice and with a very sweet but determined/confident tone of voice. She made me feel better and gave me some great advice that I started putting into action yesterday.

She suggested I go back at least a couple times more (if I want to) just so that we can track progress and make any adjustments we need to make.

At the end of the day I thought she would tell me I needed to do X or Y. She didn''t, she told me either option (moving back in my house or finding a new place to live) are completely ok and have nothing to do with how strong I am. I just have to do what I think I''m comfortable with. She suggested I take some personal defense classes, to build back my confidence and also suggested I do buy the pepper spray. The idea is not to avoid that there is a threat, but to know how to handle it and to not let it run my life. She gave some very practical advice and that''s why I liked her.

So my thinking is that I do want to go back home. Not right now but I do want to go back..it''s my home and I miss it. She said I needed to slowly go back (have someone stay with me, then stay alone for one night, then have someone come back, etc). I asked BF to come down with me this weekend so we can spend the weekend there. I''m also thinking of going tomorrow to visit a friend that came to visit from Venezuela and I will ask another friend to stay with me. After we get back from Colorado from our vacation, then I will have a more structured plan for going back. We''re leaving in 2 weeks and I don''t want to be too emotional when we leave because I wnat to enjoy it...so up until then I will take it easy...go if I feel like it, but not push it.

My arm is still hurting me and I get this tingles in my fingertips when I''m massaging it...so I think I will have to go see a physical therapist...maybe there are some streching exercises or something I should be doing to make sure this heals properly.

So that''s the update!.

In a nutshell, I''m not crazy, this is normal, the fear will never go completely away but I have to learn to control it and live with it. With time it will get better, but I can''t expect it to completely fade....oh, and I like to avoid conflict and I''m always looking for harmony...which is not a bad thing, but just not realistic. I am also too honest and open...which is not a bad thing either, but it makes me vulnerable with people like this that like to take advantage of that (which is what they did when they saw I had my guard down when this all first happenned). So I have to see this as an opportunity to learn about myself and to learn how to hanldle these type of situations in the future.

M~



Janine - To answer your question. I can work virtually because everyone in my team is out of state. Most of them are in Phoenix and my boss is in the North East!...so I''m always on the phone anyway. This is not how it''s always been though. When I started with my current job working virtually was not an option (I was in a different team and we were all local). I''m actually an Engineer and it''s not very common to work virtually in my line of work, but in this case I was just lucky!. I work at a big fortune 500 (very well known) company, but they''re just so great at these type of work/life balance policies which makes you appreciate your job even more!. really, I''m just lucky...so I can''t give you any advice other than to be honest when you''re looking for a job...just ask them what is their view on working virtually, etc. Some companies don''t mention it unless you ask...but if they really want you and it''s feasible, they will let you work something out. Maybe you ask them to let you prove yourself, etc.

 

[Ellen]

Manderine, I''m so glad you kept the appt. And she gave you some great advice!

Sound like you are on your way. {{{hugs}}}

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Mandarine, I''m so sorry to hear about how bad the situation has gotten with your neighbors. Some people are so toxic!

But I''m glad to learn that you went to therapy and are working towards moving forward. It''s all about the baby steps.

Hang in there, I''m sending tons of good vibes your way!

 

[Hopes]

Mandarine, I''m glad you are getting some pro help on your case. It can definitely help, if nothing else to get it out there for a stranger in real life to hear your case! I hope things are picking up for you, and I really am pulling for a best solution to all this. In other words... justice will be served.

 

[poptart]

It''s good to hear that the therapist helped you. I hope you go and get your arm checked soon!

*M*

 

[AndyRosse]

Oh Mandarine, I''m glad you found the therapist helpful! And please, please, please get that arm checked out soon

 

[KimberlyH]

thanks for the update, mandarine. your strength and will continue to amaze me.

 

[Kaleigh]

I''m so glad she was able to give you good practical advice and that you are feeling better about things. That''s great to hear!!!! HUGS!!!