“You mess with my dog, and it's over!” - My mother taught me what courage really means
Last week I went home to visit my mom. While chatting, we suddenly remembered this story. I honestly think what she did was legendary… she taught me what courage really means.
I was 15 when it happened. One night, we overheard our drunk neighbors whispering loudly—too drunk to realize they were shouting—about how they planned to poison our dog because she wouldn’t stop barking at them.
I was furious and ready to storm over and confront all five of them. Thankfully, I didn’t. Best case? I’d have ended up in the ER.
But my mom - She had other plans.
Without a word, she grabbed my dad’s 12-gauge shotgun, racked a shell, punched out the screen of her bedroom window… and leaned out just far enough for them to see her.
Then, calm and firm, she said:
“You mess with my dog, and it’s over.”
That was it.
The guys froze. Then they disappeared into their garage like it was a bunker.
My mom stayed at the window, watching them, shotgun still in hand, until my dad got home hours later. The moment he pulled into the driveway, they bolted—sprinting to their car, shouting profanity I hadn’t yet learned in Spanish.
They moved out shortly after.
Our dogs lived long, safe, happy lives.
Because my mom? She didn’t bluff.
#FamilyStories #BraveMom #HomeDefense #Dogs #CrazyNeighbor #Courage #Family #Motherhood
