Page 18 | To tell her to get lost?

Sportycustard · 2024-04-01T15:34:29+00:00

Just got home to find a note from my neighbour. "Hi Sporty, just wanted to let you know that we're rehoming a couple of cats in the next week or two. I can see from our upstairs windows that you have some plants in your garden that are poisonous to cats so I will pop round in the next day or so and point them out so you can remove them in good time for our new arrivals" I've just done a quick Google and it looks like she is referring to a rhododendron that was a gift from a friend who has now passed away and an azaelia that was a 50th birthday gift. Both are established shrubs and mean a lot to me. AIBU to tell her my garden will be staying as it is?

Okaaayletsgooo · 01/04/2024 16:58

Sportycustard · 01/04/2024 16:46

Ohhhh have a whole border of lavender. Had no idea that was a problem either.

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Your garden sounds beautiful, don't even think of changing it for a mad neighbour!

Tatas · 01/04/2024 16:56

My garden is full of azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips, lavender etc etc. My cats are totally fine! They're not stupid and tbh they could eat those in so many other areas around here.

Her cats, her issue 🤷

Okaaayletsgooo · 01/04/2024 16:56

Let her point them out to you, then say thanks for letting me know I've always liked them and was thinking about getting more.

Alwaysalwayscold · 01/04/2024 16:56

To be honest I just want to see your garden! Sounds beautiful

Coconutter24 · 01/04/2024 16:56

Sportycustard · 01/04/2024 16:49

Oh heck I have delphiniums too.

She's probably got me down as a cat murderer. Honestly had no idea how much of my garden was risky to cats.

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Even if the garden was full of lillies it’s your garden so I think you tell her to keep her cats indoors and if she can’t then you won’t be taking no responsibility for the cats if they enter your garden

K0OLA1D · 01/04/2024 16:55

I just want to know what she says when you tell her no

SleepingisanArt · 01/04/2024 16:54

I have 10 dwarf azaleas and 9 rhododendrons in my back garden plus several planters containing lillies - the cats (current one is 17, previous ones lived to be older) have shown no interest in eating any of them! Tell your neighbour you're more than happy to squirt her cats with water (not a soaking please) if you see them anywhere near your plants.

RandomMess · 01/04/2024 16:53

Send her some links into cat proofing her garden.

IncompleteSenten · 01/04/2024 16:52

Write a note back saying no need to come round because I will not be removing anything from my garden. I suggest you Google "cat proofing" and you secure your garden so your cats can't wander. Do not ask me again.

Because fuck her. Seriously. Cheeky cow.

Original poster

Sportycustard · 01/04/2024 16:49

PurpleSky300 · 01/04/2024 16:47

YANBU. I would understand the neighbour's point to some degree if you had, I dunno, a garden brimming with lilies or something but one azalea? Cats are wary, they rarely eat or ingest plants that would be toxic to them. Most of my garden is cat-safe but I have some delphiniums and my cat has never been anywhere near them or shown the slightest interest, they are too high up.

Oh heck I have delphiniums too.

She's probably got me down as a cat murderer. Honestly had no idea how much of my garden was risky to cats.

OP posts:

PurpleSky300 · 01/04/2024 16:47

YANBU. I would understand the neighbour's point to some degree if you had, I dunno, a garden brimming with lilies or something but one azalea? Cats are wary, they rarely eat or ingest plants that would be toxic to them. Most of my garden is cat-safe but I have some delphiniums and my cat has never been anywhere near them or shown the slightest interest, they are too high up.

Original poster

Sportycustard · 01/04/2024 16:47

Hatty65 · 01/04/2024 16:40

I'd stand on the doorstep and say politely, 'I'm afraid your decision to acquire some pets doesn't automatically give you the right to re-design and uproot my garden plants. I won't be removing anything at all. This is a you issue. Goodbye'.

This is a good retort. Thanks

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Original poster

Sportycustard · 01/04/2024 16:46

Ponoka7 · 01/04/2024 16:43

Like a pp, I've got those shrubs and always had cats. I had a cat that ate tulips, which are supposed to be poisonous. Do you have lavender? Again my garden is full of it and it's doing the cats no harm.

Ohhhh have a whole border of lavender. Had no idea that was a problem either.

OP posts:

Namerequired · 01/04/2024 16:44

Bluevelvetsofa · 01/04/2024 16:41

Dear neighbour

Thanks for the heads up about the cats. I hope you have time to secure your house and garden, so that your new arrivals are able to stay within your garden and will be at no risk from any plants that are not good for them.

Thanks so much.

This! Unless it is actually an April fools

Ponoka7 · 01/04/2024 16:43

Like a pp, I've got those shrubs and always had cats. I had a cat that ate tulips, which are supposed to be poisonous. Do you have lavender? Again my garden is full of it and it's doing the cats no harm.

mbosnz · 01/04/2024 16:43

Um, I'd be chuckling a little. And responding, 'hi, no need to trouble yourself, because I won't be removing any of my plants. Hope you enjoy your new cats, including the responsibility for their whereabouts and welfare that you have chosen to take on. If concerned, you need to look into such options as catios or catproof fencing, if you're going to let them outside.'

TTPD · 01/04/2024 16:42

"Dear neighbour, I will assume this is an April fools."

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 01/04/2024 16:42

Neighbour is off her head

WoodBurningStov · 01/04/2024 16:42

Tell them to sod off and get cctv or a ring door bell and tell them if they remove them without permission you'll be ringing the police - how fucking rude.

Pinkdelight3 · 01/04/2024 16:41

"Ha ha, no thanks. There's a road outside - are you going to remove that too? Or accept that you (and your cats) don't control the world."

NotTheMrMenAgain · 01/04/2024 16:41

She’s an entitled so-and-so! Definitely tell her to stroll on - the brass neck of her!

Deathbyfluffy · 01/04/2024 16:41

This is her problem, not yours. Make sure you have a Ring doorbell or CCTV as I bet she’ll remove them herself when you refuse.

Bluevelvetsofa · 01/04/2024 16:41

Dear neighbour

Thanks for the heads up about the cats. I hope you have time to secure your house and garden, so that your new arrivals are able to stay within your garden and will be at no risk from any plants that are not good for them.

Thanks so much.

Hatty65 · 01/04/2024 16:40

I'd stand on the doorstep and say politely, 'I'm afraid your decision to acquire some pets doesn't automatically give you the right to re-design and uproot my garden plants. I won't be removing anything at all. This is a you issue. Goodbye'.

GrandHighPoohbah · 01/04/2024 16:40

That's insane levels of entitlement! Ask her if she's planning on asking everyone on the street to remove their plants 😁. But anyway, I have always had both cats and rhododendrons, and they have coexisted happily for years.