The Goblins have won this time.

[Erik]

Glad your friend is back. Do get him chipped and checked out... there are some truly weird people out there.

That stuff is actually legal in Sweden. I hope those guys never find out. (A lot of stables have installed surveillance systems just to stop people like that.)

[SharkBait]

Well, hopefully, your housing market is doing FAR better than it is in SoCal. I'd like to think that in those intervening years and after a few improvements to the property, you can more than 50% on your investment. If not, from what I see in the LOCAL housing market, you might have to hang onto it for a couple more years to realize its potential vs. when you'd like to get the F' out ASAP!

The bottom line is: what's it worth TO YOU?

I could give a flying fornication about market value at this point. As I said: "let me out of the trap". I have completely renovated the house and despite the 'hood should be able to get $100K for it. We have been "paying ourselves" a substantial sum every month for 3 years towards the "SharkBait family paying cash for a great new house" fund. I'm still not able to pay 100% down but I'm close enough at this point. Let's just say that I've reorganized my priorities this last week. More importantly, though, if we stay here I know something bad will happen eventually. I CAN and WILL react to ill intent with proper prior planning and decisive action. I could probably take on a relatively well armed contingent of Somali pirates and still come out ahead. That's not the point.The idea is to get away before we need to deal with those situations.

Glad your friend is back. Do get him chipped and checked out... there are some truly weird people out there.

As to that, I don't even want to address such sickness in a public forum... I can say that he checked out fine other than being a little reluctant to physical contact. He's pretty much back to normal today, as am I. I just got back from the corner store stop-N-rob for a soda and some milk and was acutely aware of the increase in "hood-rat" influences lingering about the place. Shame on me for wanting to hold out for just one more year in order to reach our goal. Before our son was born things were different. Today I realize that the family financial stability needs to take a backseat to the "homeland security".

[Aglifter]

Part of the problem w. a real "guard dog" is that dogs are, relatively, easy to get by. Unless you teach your dog to not let strangers touch him, feed him, etc, he won't really be reliable - but he can be a good early warning system inside a house.

[skb12172]

Well, hopefully, your housing market is doing FAR better than it is in SoCal. I'd like to think that in those intervening years and after a few improvements to the property, you can more than 50% on your investment. If not, from what I see in the LOCAL housing market, you might have to hang onto it for a couple more years to realize its potential vs. when you'd like to get the F' out ASAP!

The bottom line is: what's it worth TO YOU?

I could give a flying fornication about market value at this point. As I said: "let me out of the trap". I have completely renovated the house and despite the 'hood should be able to get $100K for it. We have been "paying ourselves" a substantial sum every month for 3 years towards the "SharkBait family paying cash for a great new house" fund. I'm still not able to pay 100% down but I'm close enough at this point. Let's just say that I've reorganized my priorities this last week. More importantly, though, if we stay here I know something bad will happen eventually. I CAN and WILL react to ill intent with proper prior planning and decisive action. I could probably take on a relatively well armed contingent of Somali pirates and still come out ahead. That's not the point.The idea is to get away before we need to deal with those situations.

Glad your friend is back. Do get him chipped and checked out... there are some truly weird people out there.

As to that, I don't even want to address such sickness in a public forum... I can say that he checked out fine other than being a little reluctant to physical contact. He's pretty much back to normal today, as am I. I just got back from the corner store stop-N-rob for a soda and some milk and was acutely aware of the increase in "hood-rat" influences lingering about the place. Shame on me for wanting to hold out for just one more year in order to reach our goal. Before our son was born things were different. Today I realize that the family financial stability needs to take a backseat to the "homeland security".

Live and learn. You and yours came out ok and you learned an important lesson based on experience, which is always the best kind. Move on and don't beat yourself up.

[Evyl Robot]

Glad your friend is back. Do get him chipped and checked out... there are some truly weird people out there.

That stuff is actually legal in Sweden. I hope those guys never find out. (A lot of stables have installed surveillance systems just to stop people like that.)

Now that's just jacked up. There are some sick people out there.

[Combat Controller]

There is no shame in having a small mortgage (or any for that matter). You are a contributing member of society unlike the HUD rats hanging around the 'hood. Get your family into a nice neighborhood and use the proceeds from the sale to pay it off.

[rightisright]

Part of the problem w. a real "guard dog" is that dogs are, relatively, easy to get by.

Yep. There's a HUGE difference between a guard dog and a watch dog.

[workinwifdakids]

I just read this thread, and I'm glad you didn't do anything stupid.

I drove past "my" house the other day and some douche's truck was parked in the driveway. I parked around the corner and sat for half and hour. Finally I realized going to jail wasn't worth it, and I drove away.

Now, granted Voldemort (she whose name shall not be spoken) is worth a lot less than a loyal dog, but...

Anyway, pal, congratulations on getting your dog back. I'm glad it all worked out. Now get the hell out of that neighborhood!