My neighbor covered my windows and erected a fence on my property while I was on vacation. He received exactly what he was due. 
Catherine had no idea that she was going to face a very bad surprise after spending an amazing week by the sea with her children.
The vista was now totally ruined by a large, sturdy wooden fence that stood right in front of her windows. It found out that Jeffrey, her new neighbor, had built the fence on her property while she was away, without her knowledge or consent.
Liam gazed out the window in amazement and said, “Mom, where did the trees go?”
Anger tightened Catherine’s heart. It was obvious that the neighbor had used her absence to enforce his own regulations. She wasn’t going to overlook that, though.
She and Jeffrey had spoken before the trip. He approached holding the following documents:
Along the boundary of the property, I intend to erect a fence. It was already agreed upon by the previous proprietors.
Catherine said forcefully, “But now this is my house.” – I also disagree. Our light and space will be blocked by a barrier.
It appeared that Jeffrey retreated. Evidently, however, he chose to act as he liked. Catherine felt she had to react now that she was confronted with the truth. She also had a strategy. One that would instruct him.
When the children had gone to sleep that night, she went to a local pet shop.
She questioned the clerk, “Do you have anything that smells strong and draws animals?”
Intrigued, he said, “We have a very potent dog-training lure.”
— Excellent. Catherine remarked, already imagining the result, “That’s exactly what I need.”
She used the lure along the neighbor’s fence for the next few nights while the city slept. The aroma soon attracted a variety of animals, including small scavengers and stray canines. Some left behind extremely “fragrant” marks.
A few days later, while Jeffrey attempted to clean the fence, Catherine could hear him swearing. However, the odor had seeped into the wood.
The neighbors began to grumble. Mrs. Thompson knocked on his door one day:
— The stench emanating from your yard is awful! What’s happening?
With obvious embarrassment, he murmured, “I’m trying to fix it.”
Chris and Liam even started griping about the smell. However, Catherine was aware that everything was proceeding as planned.
She soon heard shouting and knocking—Jeffrey had started taking down the barrier. Triumph!
Jeffrey came up to her while she was watering her garden, his head lowered and his eyes filled with sadness.
— Catherine I was mistaken. I apologize. I should not have constructed without your consent.
“I accept your apology,” she said coolly. I hope you now realize that the cornerstone of healthy neighborly interactions is respecting others’ boundaries.
Their connection has improved since then. Now that the barrier was gone, Catherine demonstrated that, even under the most disagreeable circumstances, you can reclaim what is rightfully yours with a little ingenuity and bravery
