This truly sucks, Paula.

So sorry this happened to you.. Thank heavens nothing else was taken and you and your dog weren't hurt.. We had a lady about 6 blocks from me she went to answer her door in the afternoon and they maced her..scary being alone.. I'm glad I have the two dogs.. Maggie is boxer/great dane so has a very deep visious bark on her Molly is beagle and when she gets that howl beagles have going I don't think I would enter this house..
Keep safe..

Doors are easy to replace and it should not take a contractor to do this. God bless Home Deopt. I would suspect teenagers because they took a TV. An adult would have torn your whole house apart. You are lucky.

Maggie

I'm so sorry. The most important thing is that no one was hurt. It is a good idea to use the alarm system all the time. Judith

I'm so sorry this happened but glad you're ok. I had the same thing happen to me but I came in on them because I heard a noise in the back of the house and my cat was going crazy. They busted in the back door, didn't have time to steal anything, and left when they heard me thank goodness. My neighbor nailed a sheet of plywood over the door until I could get it fixed the next day. We later found out teenagers in the neighborhood were breaking in houses. Crime is everywhere now unfortunately. Glad you have an alarm system. I started setting mine anytime I leave so I will know if anyone has been or is in the house when I get home. Can't be too careful these days. Take care, Sandra

I also have two big dogs in the house, ( mixed breeds but both nearly 100lbs each) and they are a tag team. In addition, we are NRA members so if I have to defend myself, I will.

It's a real shame you had this happen, I am very glad you weren't hurt.
I am glad you are going to use the alarm all the time.

Sorry that this happened.

i am glad that you and the dogs weren't hurt!

((((hugs))))

Carla

Oh geezums! The kids down there are worse than the adults! And yeah, it probably was kids.... Stick a blanket in your car and some rope or duct tape. Go to Home Depot for some plywood if you don't already have some that you'd use to board your windows for evacuations. Put the blanket on top of your car to protect the finish and tie it down good through your windows. Get out a drill and screw it to the doorframe. Ask a neighbor for help if you need it. Use lots of screws...the doorframe can be filled in later with putty. DON'T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE WIDE OPEN! And take your dog with you if you can. They've already figured out it's no threat and you don't want your dog lost. Also, be sure to alert your neighbors on either side of you.

One more thing....exchange phone numbers with your trusted neighbors.

I am so sorry, that's the last thing you need at a time like this. I agree, probably teenagers, either that or you came in before they were through and the took off with what they already had. I'm glad you weren't home when it happened though and no one was hurt. I had a security system put in right after my husband passed away, and I do not fail to set it when I leave or when I go to bed. I don't always set it when I'm home during the day although I know I should. I also have two dogs, they are small dogs but they make lots of noise, so I know if anyone is even close. Shortly after my husband passed away a neighbor down the road had someone knock on her door early in the morning. She was still in her gown so she didn't answer, just went back upstairs--she looked out her bedroom window just in time to see two guys, one was just getting ready to kick the back door in--she grabbed the phone and called the police but they got in and ransacked through the bottom floor before the cops got there--when she heard them coming up the stairs she started screaming and they took off---the Sheriff's dept had got there by that time but they were all (four units) in the front and the guys ran out the back and disappeared. Never did catch them, but she put a security system in that same week and that's really what prompted me to go ahead and get it done so quickly. I know nothing is fool proof, but every little thing we can do to protect ourselves helps. I made sure to put the signs up and the stickers on the windows and doors--don't know if that's really a deterrent or not, but it's worth the effort. I'm so glad no one was hurt and that nothing else was taken other than the TV. Hope you are able to get your gate fixed and door fixed quickly. Hugs

That's terrible, I had a similar problem last winter just after Rob died. You feel violated and so vunerable. Sorry, Hug, Donna

So sorry Paula...one more thing to add to a stressful life.......I had an alarm installed last year too. I feel safer than I did... I never worried about anything when my hubby was here...You see how a gorilla is built...that was my husband..one stout man..felt so safe...I hope everything gets fixed for you...hugs...Debbie:).

I'm so sorry you had to go through this on top of everything else! Glad you and yours and the dog are okay. I think Riverbends has some great practical advice, too.

Sending you Big Hugs, Martha

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I say turn the security alarm on and get some of those stickers with the alarm company name on it for your doors and windows. Maybe leave the dog inside too.

I'm so sorry, Paula. My parents were robbed one time, and attributed it to being raped mentally.

Thank heavens, though, you have the alarm system.

I live in a 55+ gated community, which I have felt perfectly safe in so far. But no place on this earth is 100% safe. We have to protect ourselves any way we can.