I’m V., and I’ve lived in my home for years, but lately, I’ve been feeling like my backyard is a public sidewalk. My property backs onto a community garden, and my neighbor decided that cutting through my yard was much more convenient than walking around. Even after I asked her multiple times to stop, she kept doing it—dragging her little dog along with her.
I finally reached my limit and installed a locked gate to make it clear: this is private property. But when I looked out my window a few days later, I was stunned. She was literally climbing over my fence, hoistng her dog over with her!
A few days later, she was at my front door, pounding and screaming. She had the audacity to tell me I “didn’t have the right” to lock my own gate. She actually demanded that I leave it unlocked for her, or better yet, “watch her” whenever she wanted to pass through so I could lock it after her. I stayed calm and told her, “It’s my property. I’m not responsible for your walk.”
She went pale and stormed off, but the drama didn’t end there. Now, she’s spreading rumors around the neighborhood that I’m “dangerous” and “unfriendly.” Some of the neighbors actually believe her! I followed the rules and protected my privacy, yet somehow, I’ve become the villain in her twisted story. I don’t regret the gate, but I’m shocked at how some people think your boundaries are a personal attack on them.
