On my way home

[rfaulk34]

So today on my way home, i turn onto my street like any other normal day. One thing i've noticed over the last couple years is the dynamic of my neighborhood is changing a little bit. As i turn onto the street, i see a pickup truck stopped in the middle of the road (one way street with parking on both sides). As i stop about 10 feet behind the truck i notice a commotion to the right and see two pit bulls locked in a battle. A couple kids are kicking at the dogs trying to break them up. A couple are rushing around on the phone trying to call the police and animal control. I see someone approach the dogs with some kind of stick and start wailing on them a few times.

Nothing is phasing the dogs of course and i also notice a couple people just casually lounging on the step to the right of the ruckus. I didn't really think of it till now, but everyone involved up to this point is female. No guys around.

All this happened really quick, yet it seemed to go on for a long time. I'm watching the dogs and wincing a bit because i'm waiting for one of them to rip the other apart because they seem to have each other, at least partially, by the mouth.

Just then, to my left, i notice an older white man walk by my car with a gun in his hand. I don't recognize him but i'm thinking that he lives near there because he seems to be agitated and if you don't live there, why would you care that much?

Just to back track a little bit, i have a CCW and i had momentarily considered intervening but the entire time, it was only the dogs focused on each other. No other people were in danger. So this guy walks over to the dogs and by this time they had worked their way around the side of the truck, just out of my sight. The guy walks up, leans in, and then i hear two shots. I didn't see the dogs get hit, but they both limped away in opposite directions.

At that point, all the kids start freaking out but the adults still seem very calm. One lady up on the porch to the right even says to the guy, "thank you. i appreciate that". As the guy turns and walks back to where he came from, he says out loud, "i'm not afraid of any of you all".

Right after that, someone moves the truck blocking the street and i proceed on home, go in the house and tell my wife, don't ever ever ever let our dog out in the front without being out there with her, or better yet, don't ever let her out unless it's me taking her out. I tell her and my son the story and hear the sirens, so i walk back down there and give the police my statement.

So, how was your day, honey?

[Peter Gibbons]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Oh, and this is a nice first thread starter, rfaulk. Congratulations on entering the world of thread creators. It also gives us all a good feel for life in Cincinnati, so we learned something.

Amen to that, brother. I've been in the Cincinnati area for 32 years since graduating college. I have another 18-24 months of time to complete my stint (good behavior dependent) and then I am taking off for the Carolinas. Years ago, I moved out to a distant and well to do suburb of town. The schools were the great and the residents seemed different than most. However, it is still not enough to keep all the idiots and dregs of society away. This city has more problems than just the Bengals, that is for sure.

[loochy]

Sounds pretty trailerparkish

[myselff77]

OK, so you have curbs, but what kind are they? Are they those straight 90 degree vertical curbs or those that subtly curve up?

[rfaulk34]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Sounds like it might be time to move to a new neighborhood.

If you had any idea of the time and money i've invested in my back yard alone...

[loochy]

Originally Posted by rfaulk34

If you had any idea of the time and money i've invested in my back yard alone...

sunk cost fallacy


don't be afraid to do what you need for yourself and your family

[rfaulk34]

Originally Posted by myselff77

OK, so you have curbs, but what kind are they? Are they those straight 90 degree vertical curbs or those that subtly curve up?

They're OG curbs. The kind you see in older neighborhoods. All in good shape though.

[rfaulk34]

Originally Posted by loochy

sunk cost fallacy


don't be afraid to do what you need for yourself and your family

Oh, i know. I had that convo with my wife last night. She's connected to that house because we've lived there 35 years and she feels more connected to our late son there.

If the hood gets bad enough, those memories are going to have to travel because i won't stay there.

[Graystoke]

I just got out of surgery on my foot and I am so F-ing high right now.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by rfaulk34

Oh, i know. I had that convo with my wife last night. She's connected to that house because we've lived there 35 years and she feels more connected to our late son there.

If the hood gets bad enough, those memories are going to have to travel because i won't stay there.

My wife and I have talked about moving out of our house at some point, even though we love it. But maybe downsize and go to a condo that's easier to maintain. However, we dearly love the house and the location, and we've lived here for 30 years, most of our adult lives. I could move a mile or less to some nice condos, but it would be hard for me to be in the same neighborhood as my house after selling it. I'd miss it every time I went by. I know that's irrational, but we're all human and it's a factor.

[Katipan]

What’s crazy is that you think missing something is irrational.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Katipan

What’s crazy is that you think missing something is irrational.

Exactly. I live a few miles from my first condo and from my first Denver apartment. I give them a nod when I pass by and have good memories of those places. There's no reason the same thing wouldn't happen with the house. I think it's just the difference that we've had so much time at the house, and it's been our physical home base for half our lives.

I moved all the time as a kid and a young adult, so I'm pretty good at moving on from physical environments. I suspect it would be the same situation here, but I've actually got roots that I would have to dig up, and that's not something I've really had to do in the past.

[Wisconsin_Chief]

Sounds to me like you should find a new team to root for. That's all I take from your story.

[Pennywise]

Dude could have saved a few rounds.

This guy saved a small dog from a violent German Shepherd… by sticking his finger up the German Shepherd’s butt 😳

pic.twitter.com/FTiQAwUtdl

— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld_) April 15, 2025

[rfaulk34]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

My wife and I have talked about moving out of our house at some point, even though we love it. But maybe downsize and go to a condo that's easier to maintain. However, we dearly love the house and the location, and we've lived here for 30 years, most of our adult lives. I could move a mile or less to some nice condos, but it would be hard for me to be in the same neighborhood as my house after selling it. I'd miss it every time I went by. I know that's irrational, but we're all human and it's a factor.

Nah, i get that.

If we ever move, we've talked about a ranch style. I need something with a full unfinished bsmt to work on in my old age and get it set up just how i want it. I couldn't do a condo. I'd go stir crazy with nothing to do and no grass to cut.

[rfaulk34]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Exactly. I live a few miles from my first condo and from my first Denver apartment. I give them a nod when I pass by and have good memories of those places. There's no reason the same thing wouldn't happen with the house. I think it's just the difference that we've had so much time at the house, and it's been our physical home base for half our lives.

I moved all the time as a kid and a young adult, so I'm pretty good at moving on from physical environments. I suspect it would be the same situation here, but I've actually got roots that I would have to dig up, and that's not something I've really had to do in the past.

I wouldn't want to have to drive by and see someone let all my hard work go to shit.