No Soliciting

Since the burglary, we've posted a "No Soliciting" sign on our mailbox, which is located next to the front door. Our neighborhood seems like it's a magnet for door-to-door solicitors, from kids whose parents literally drive them from other neighborhoods, roofers and tree trimmers, to scammers posing as underprivileged high school students trying to sell LA Times subscriptions. These scammers come to our neighborhood wearing fine jewelry and counter sales objections like pros, not at all like high school students. They work with others casing a neighborhood or attempt to steal identity info by asking for a check or credit card payment for the newspaper subscription.

Although we have the No Soliciting sign posted, these door-to-door folks, legit or not, don't always heed the sign. We simply don't open the door for solicitors. You shouldn't either. It's another way for burglars and other indecents to learn about your home, your activity, etc.

We'll let solicitors know, without opening our front door, we're not interested in anything they have to offer. If you have dogs, you may want to let them do the talking for you. This happened today at our house and I admit I found it rather amusing. Bias tell me it's often more effective with larger dogs or dogs that have a deeper bark or growl.

When solicitors knocked on the door this morning, our two dogs let them know loud and clear they weren't welcome. Good dogs.

Jesus Knows You're Here

A little comic relief if you've gone through a burglary. Forwarded from our former pet sitter:


Jesus Knows You're Here

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around,looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, "Jesus knows you're here."

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more, after a bit, he shook his head and continued. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard, "Jesus is watching you."

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

"Did you say that?" he hissed at the parrot.

"Yep," the parrot confessed, then squawked, "I'm just trying to warn you that he is watching you."

The burglar relaxed. "Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?"

"Moses," replied the bird.

"Moses?" the burglar laughed, "What kind of people would name a bird Moses?"

"The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus."