Daily writing prompt

What makes a good neighbor?

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I have lived in places with neighbors who weren’t very desirable. They kept us up at night fighting and were drug dealing in the front yard right beside our house. One night, my ex-husband chased one of the guys across the yard and tackled him because he tried running into our house to try and escape the cops. It was the night we brought home our son… a night I will never forget. I have also had neighbors who never spoke to your or waved. They were indifferent of your presence and were cold and unfriendly. I’ve also had a neighbor whose dog chased me at seven months pregnant across my yard and into my house. The dog bolted into the house with me, and I had to run it out. It was no small dog. It was a pitbull that was at least seventy pounds.

Now, with all of that being said, let’s get to what makes a good neighbor. I have to say, I’m blessed with better neighbors now. I live in a community of cattle farmers, chicken farmers, and homesteaders, and we look out for one another. One night, I was in town and one of my cattle farmer neighbors called and said, “Your goats are out and at the road in front of your house.” I explained that I was in town and wouldn’t be home for a few hours. He put up the goats that he could get into the fence, and the others found their way to the barn for the night. I messaged him and let him know how much I appreciate the help. When I notice that a cow is out, I call him to see if it is his. Even if it isn’t we put it in my pasture so he can make his way back across the fence where it more than likely came from.

Back in the spring, he told me that my dog had been in his pasture. I asked if he caused damage and apologized. I put Barney (my Great Pyrenees) in my house for a couple of weeks until I got a new goat fence built. I let my neighbor know that my dog wouldn’t be a problem anymore and that we got him in a more secure fence.

Another of my neighbors popped in a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted to buy some of his goats. He’s also a goat farmer and had an abundance of bucks born this year and had to get rid of them. I told him that we’re at max with our bucks, but I’ll definitely give him a call when I’m looking again. We walked around the property, and I showed him all of our animals and where we put our escapee dog that had made friends with his escapee dog. Just knowing that our neighbors thought of us and were willing to give us half off on the goats because we’re friends made my heart happy. It’s good to surround yourself with kind and thoughtful people.

A good neighbor looks out for you and others and apologizes when they (or their escapee dogs) are in the wrong. They help one another out and don’t ask for anything in return. They do the right thing when no one is looking and don’t look for praise. I’m extremely blessed to have the neighbors that I have.