The Gun Counter

OK, so some of you know me and that I live in a shall we say "less than desirable" neighborhood. Without too much back story things were fine here until about 5 years ago, then the neighborhood really went to Hell in a hand basket. So now I'm the stereotypical straight laced conservative guy with a nice lawn, clean house, and big American flag in the yard surrounded by feckless moochers and looters, drug dealers and other miscellaneous riffraff. To date I have held these na'er-do-wells at bay with a strong presence, a good dog, and a .45. Tuesday morning sometime before daylight my shield of invincibility was penetrated when someone breached the gate and took away my best friend and companion of the last 7 years "Rocky". Rocky is a Lab / Rhodesian Ridgeback mix (Props to KdT for the Ridgeback recommendation years ago). He has kept us safe from goblins on several occasions and made it possible to raise a family safely in this area. I am completely crestfallen and wrought with anger and the will to do violence. I've been prowling the neighborhoods relentlessly doing the low and slow to no avail. As I'm looking around for him, however, I have been faced with a very real fear of what I might do if I should find him in some gangsta's back yard. Storm the house with the AR and set their world on fire? Call the police and control myself as I wait for the cavalry to arrive? I just don't know if I would have the restraint for it. I'm just at a loss at how to proceed. I don't write often and many of you don't remember me from the old forum but I thought some of you would be of like mind and may have some words of reason. I apologize in advance for a rambling post but I'm at my wit's end here and hoping for any positive input.
V/R,
Van

Well, first of all, do you have any way of proving to the cops that the dog is yours? Microchip or tattoo? If not, that changes your options. It doesn't eliminate them, it just changes them. We need more information.

Presumably you already made a police report? Further, and no offense, but how did the goblins make off with him?

I would, naturally, check with the pound and make a report if you have not already. I would also look to craigslist and other places they advertise dogs. Plus, if you get a ransom note in a few days (not unheard of) the report will allow you to sting the idiots. Plus ought to keep you from doing something rash, like shooting the little fucker in the kneecaps.

I know you care greatly for the dog............but it's a dog.

However, if you insist on getting all Machavellian.......

SharkBait wrote: [strike]Storm the house with the AR[/strike] Catch them gone, use a toaster, and set their [strike]world[/strike] house on fire?

Use your head, not your heart, guy.

Termite wrote:I know you care greatly for the dog............but it's a dog.

However, if you insist on getting all Machavellian.......

SharkBait wrote: [strike]Storm the house with the AR[/strike] Catch them gone, use a toaster, and set their [strike]world[/strike] house on fire?

Use your head, not your heart, guy.

And / or move.

There is not a woman on the planet worth spending time in jail over for her cheating heart.
I wonder if the same thing applies for a dog. It might be the principle, but after you are as bad as them and doing time, that will be a very thin principle to keep you warm at night.

I'm thinking they took the dog to gain easier access to your house at a later time..

Eyes and ears open more then ever.

I agree w. the other guys. Step back and take a few breaths... No one loves their dogs more than I do; but I wouldn't want to spend time behind bars for doing something stupid for them.

Could strangers easily approach the dog? Was there any sign of a struggle?

Now, now gentlemen. I wouldn't let someone just make off with my dog, either. The using brains rather than heart approach is, I think, the correct one. First, find the pooch. When you are sure he is safe and being relatively well cared for, come back for more options...

Ben Rumson wrote:I'm thinking they took the dog to gain easier access to your house at a later time..

Eyes and ears open more then ever.

Call me crazy but that was my first thought.

How could they get the dog? He was inside, right?