Home Sweet Home: Do You Know Where You Belong?

/ Ally Bean

The Tale [Or Tail] Of An Unexpected Visitor

I wanted to sweep leaves off our deck, it being autumn and all, so I’d opened one of the French doors between our dining room and screened-in porch, leaving it open behind me, then I stepped outside into the screened-in porch.

I had a sense of purpose.

These are the steps that Cookie walked up.

Next I opened the door from the screened-in porch to the deck propping the door to the deck open. I began sweeping the leaves off the deck, attentive to what I was doing, when something from the yard, that had climbed up the stairs to our deck, dashed past me.

Like a black and white canine thunderbolt. 

This is the deck that Cookie ran across going through the screen door that was open at the time into the screened-in porch.

I pivoted quickly to see Cookie, our neighbor’s Dalmatian-Great Dane mix, go running across our deck into our screened-in porch through the door I’d propped open.

Never expecting an uninvited visitor.

These are the French doors that Cookie walked through from the screened-in porch into our dining room.

Then faster than you can say “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick” while still standing on the deck I looked through the sliding door that leads from the deck into the kitchen or vice versa. This is when I saw Cookie, the happy-go-lucky goofball, inside our house looking out at me.

Through a locked door.

This is the spot in our kitchen where Cookie stopped moving, choosing instead to stare outside at me still on the deck.

So I ran across the deck into the screened-in porch, through the dining room, around the corner into the kitchen where Cookie was patiently waiting for me to feed her. Or so I assume.

What did I do?

This is Drags pretending to be Cookie so that you can get the idea of what I saw inside my house, on the other side of the locked door, while still standing outside on the deck.

Welp, I conned her out of our kitchen through the foyer toward the front door by shouting “WALKIES” and she fell for it by following me. I opened our front door, she stepped out, and I instructed her to “go home” while pointing in the direction of her house. And with that, slightly confused but obedient, Cookie trotted off.

To her home sweet home.

Deciding Where You Belong

I stumbled across the OECD Better Life Index. The index is a simple little online gadget that allows you to determine which country would best suit your personality.

Apparently I belong in Norway.

It’s easy to determine where you belong by following the link provided above. You’ll be asked to slide some doodads around to indicate how important 11 variables are to you. Then *voilà* you’ll learn which countries are where you’d find other people vibing with your values.

Your soulmates, I guess.

Questions Of The Day

Have you had a neighbor’s dog come for an unannounced visit? If so, how’d that go? What boss move did you do to get said dog to go home?

Upon opening a door to go outside do you immediately shut it behind you— or are you lax about shutting it sometimes?

If you tried the Better Life Index, which countries do you belong in?

Do you feel Drags needs to be featured here more often? I admit I’ve drifted away from using him, but doesn’t he just make you smile?

• 🐲 •

 

181 thoughts on “Home Sweet Home: Do You Know Where You Belong?”

  1. What a romp! Cookie had her best day ever and Drags came out to play? Fabulous. I’ll take more. Yes, please. Thanks for the morning giggles. And for a fun activity. Norway, you say? I’ll need to catch up and see where I really belong. Ohio wasn’t an option? LOL. 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I got Norway as well. Your scan looked very similar to mine, with the US coming in at 5th for me.

    When I was living at home, we had a Great Dane wander in through the front door. We had left it propped open due to an unfortunate incident in the broiler, needing to get the smoke out of the house. The dog smelled the steak which had caught fire and followed his nose. It was the most chaotic episode ever.

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    • nance, I don’t know much about Norway other than being able to identify their flag. 🇳🇴 Probably should learn more in case I need to move there.

      I love your Great Dane story. Of course the dog smelled the steak and had to come investigate. I can imagine the chaos. How hilarious.

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  3. Oh yes, more Drags please 🙂

    I am lax about leaving a door open once I have exited it when I plan to return shortly. Of course, shortly has quite a wide interpretation.

    Norway is also my Home Sweet Home, although my index is quite different to yours. Maybe Norway is everyone’s Home Sweet Home….

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    • Deb, I feel bad about ignoring Drags, allowing him to languish in the wings. I used to do more with him. He’s cute.

      You said it about ‘shortly’ and therein is how I ended up in this situation. I mean I figured it might take me 5 minutes to do the deck and stairs. What could happen? HA!

      Interesting that you got Norway, too. So far there are three of us. I don’t know a lot about Norway, but feel a need to learn more. 🇳🇴

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      • Both Himself and I are very drawn to Norway anyway, and Himself has a good friend living there. Unfortunately, it’s very expensive, but the biggest issue for me is the snow. Himself would be happy, but I don’t cope with colder temps and tend to fall over in the snow due to my truly dreadful balance.

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        • You mention the two things I thought about Norway, too. It has lots of snow, which might be okay, but I don’t like slipping and sliding so it seems like a bummer. And the cost angle would do us in. I know it is expensive.

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  4. I was surprised when you said you left the doors open as you worked on the deck. I would never do that as I would worry about critters getting in while my back is turned. I was thinking more of insects and mice/squirrels not something as large as your neighbor’s dog! Glad he cooperated and followed you out.

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    • Ellen D., you raise a good point about critters getting into the house through open doors. I worry about that in the front of the house and in the garage, but our deck is elevated… which doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen… just that I don’t envision it happening while I’m right there with a broom.

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  5. Ally, cute lead to a topic that is often on my mind. Where do I belong? I took the test and got Norway too. I think most people will based on what’s important at this stage of life. Iceland was a close second. Neither of those places would be on my list. I noticed it didn’t have a sliding bar for climate, which would have altered the outcome entirely. I need warmth.

    Yes, I frequently leave the door open, just a crack. Not good in my neighborhood since we have invasive lizards. Yes, everything about this post makes me smile.

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    • Suzanne, I’m looking forward to seeing who ends up where according to this assessment. I imagine we follow each other in blogland because we have similar goals and values so if we all end up in Norway so be it. We’ll start a club.

      Invasive lizards! Oh my, I’m not keen on rodents, which we have around here in the midwest, but lizards creep me out. You’re living on the edge by keeping your door cracked open.

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  6. Oh wow Ally Bean. I have to say I am stunned and surprised that you have written such a great blog post that is about a home environment and I find it very interesting💯🙌

    Also, to answer your question, where I stay uninvited guests are not welcomed and dogs come there all the time, luckily I just mind my own business and leave dogs like that digging whatever they can get their four legs on.

    Anyways, It is great to see you Ally, I mean I don’t know you physically but great to see a new blog post from you. Plus, there is no place like home.

    Oh! I have news for you, do visit my blog, you will find interesting blog posts there based only on “MENS FASHION & STYLE” , you will find inspiration I tell you!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mthobisi Magagula, I’m glad you enjoyed this real life tale of a guest with a tail. I’m like you, I leave dogs to do their thing unbothered unless they get in the house. Of course I know Cookie and that she’s a goofball, so this wasn’t stressful as much as hilarious.

      Happy to know your blog is doing well. Carry on, my friend.

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  8. I love how animals will make themselves at home. Our first Irish Setter used to go visit our neighbor. He was an older man and Mitzi loved him. In the summer (they had A/C, we did not) we found her several times in the living room laying next to Bob on their couch.

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  9. Interesting, as I scored off the chart with Norway. Hmmm- is this a study making a plea for people to relocate to Norway? Coming in hot also was Iceland, Australia and Switzerland.

    I have not had a neighbors dog visit unannounced although many years ago we had a neighbors cat come and stay preferring us to them.

    I literally only have 1 door to the outside and my screen closes automatically unless I secure it open so my personal choice is sort of made for me.

    I think perhaps Drags needs a blog of his own…

    …also, glad Cookie enjoyed her visit 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, with everyone getting Norway I’m becoming suspicious of this assessment tool. To my knowledge it’s not funded by the Norwegian Travel Board, but… 🤔

      Funny how your neighbor’s cat liked you better than the neighbor. Cats know who is worth their time and who to ignore.

      I understand how with one door like yours, you have no control over entries. There’s something to be said for that simplicity.

      I suppose Drags could have his own blog, I’ll ask him to see if he’s interested. Maybe he could take over this one?

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      • Seems like Norway perhaps did not think through the ramifications if the entire earth’s population starts showing up looking for housing 😉

        Maybe Drags can do a guest post now and then?

        Liked by 1 person

        • Ha! You’re right, if’n Norway is trying to draw people to their country there could be overcrowding problems.

          Yes, Drags could guest post, although he’s a quiet sort, keeps his thoughts and feelings to himself. In fact we never hear a peep out of him.

          Liked by 1 person

  10. Chester walked through my screen so while I leave the door open i am concerned that a really dumb squirrel will get in and we’ll have all sorts of excitement!! But it’s so nice to get fresh air in the fall!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Martha, I agree about the fresh air in the fall. Which is part of why I was out on the deck sweeping the leaves. I hope to never have a squirrel get into the house, I can do without that excitement.

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  12. Glad to read your animal encounter was domestic and not wild. If I extended the same open invitation down here (we have the same screened-in porch configuration as you) I might end up hosting one of our bold neighborhood squirrels. My answers to the BLI are different than yours yet I still ended up with Nordic countries, which suits me just fine (although the U.S. was much more to the left than yours). As for Drags I’ll take or leave him to you, but I do like his emoji!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dave, excellent point about this NOT being a wild animal who got into the house. We have squirrels but they don’t like our deck anymore since we had it rebuilt. Apparently our aesthetic offends them, which is okay by me.

      I’m fascinated about where people belong according to this index. So far everyone seems pleased with their results, so there’s that. I like the dragon emoji, too. One of the more interesting ones that I rarely use.

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  13. I did have a neighbor’s dog come for a visit once, many years ago. It was the mayor’s Chihuahua. Apparently it considered its territory larger than was warranted, and it bit me on the ankle, drawing blood. At that point it retreated, but only temporarily. Its return home came only after an extended stay at the vet’s, mandated in such cases because of rabies screening. The dog and I were fine in the end, but it was fun hearing the stories about the visits the police had to make to the mayor to retrieve the dog and take it to the vet.

    I always close my doors when I go out. My hand-fed squirrels know the shelled pecans are kept inside that door, and they sure enough would follow me right into the house. I learned that lesson the day I’d left a door open and looked up from the computer to see a squirrel in the middle of the dining room floor, begging.

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    • Linda, your story with the mayor’s Chihuahua is hilarious. Thanks for sharing it here. I’m glad you were okay and delighted to know that the little biter had to spend a bit of time in doggy jail.

      A squirrel got inside your house! Oh that’d be something to see, but something I’d rather not have happen. You got it out of the house without trouble? No police involved!

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    • It was easy to get it out. It wanted pecans, so I grabbed some and lured it back outdoors with them. It was one of the squirrels that doesn’t hope for pecans; it expects them, and it expects them NOW!

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    • River, I’m not surprised that you have visiting pets outside on your beautiful property. We see horses walk by with riders on them, but they don’t dawdle in our yard. As for finding myself on the wrong side of the locked door, it was infuriating but also hilarious. Cookie is such a sweet goofball.

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  15. Funny story, Ally, and Cookie seems like a smart…well, cookie! How smart of you to say ‘walkies’ to get her out. Happy fall cleaning, I’ve been doing a bit of the same and excited for the cooler temps.

    Liked by 1 person

    • dennyho, you’re right. I hadn’t put her name together with the saying, but she is a smart cookie. And a goofball. And large, very big when you see her inside your house. I’m enjoying the cooler temps too. Yay fall!

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  16. I was cracking up reading your post😹 I was thinking you were going to say a squirrel ran into your house. But when it was a big dog,I couldn’t believe it! So hilarious!! And great that she went out when you told her to. Good doggie! We have to close doors quickly when we come and go so the cat doesn’t get out.

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    • Beth, when we had cats I was conscientious about closing doors, but now I’m lax if I’m going to be right by the door doing something. Cookie is a sweet dog, so I wasn’t worried about her doing damage. I just wanted her out.

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  17. Drags reminds me of toys my kids have won from the amusement park – is that where he is from? They seem to always have dragons for some reason! Well, they do make for a great prize, I can’t disagree!
    I tried the country thingie but the questions were rigged. ”Housing?” Well, yes please, I would prefer not to live on the street. ”Safety?” Well, of course I’d rather live somewhere safe than not. ”Health?” Sure, I think health is important! Etc. But it missed a lot of things that are important to me like pleasant weather or value for money, ie can you afford to do fun things, or do you need to stay at home all the time? (Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world!)
    And I haven’t had a suprise dog visit but one summer, when I was working at a French hotel in Greece, I’d occasionnally wake up to a nice scent of fresh laundry and a little breeze that tickled my face with fur. Even drowsy, I’d realise it was the neighbour’s cat running through my tiny flat, crossing my bed with me lying in it, from window to balcony. It was very hot there and I kept both open at night. Luckily the cat always bolted fast, because I’m very allergic to them!

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    • The Snow Melts Somewhere, I bought Drags on sale at Costco after the holidays. His neck is a little skewed so no one wanted him I guess. For $10 he’s been money well-invested.

      I take your points about the variables used to assess where you belong. I agree that adding ‘weather’ or ‘value for money’ would make the results more useful if anyone was using the index seriously to determine their future.

      What a sweet story about your neighbor’s cat just passing through, over you. I can understand why you kept your balcony window open.

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  18. I had a neighbor’s cat stroll into the inn, then got completely freaked out and started zooming around the parlors, up the drapes, and under furniture, kind of growling when she paused. I finally got her out by chasing her around with a broom. Only one piece of glass broken. Turned out she had a brain tumor.
    I think Drags made a great proxi-dog, may have missed his calling in life. Encore for sure!

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  19. I’m happy to report that no dog ever walked into my house uninvited. The closest I had was a squirrel falling down our chimney and ending up in the living room! Interesting ranking quiz, especially to see how the results change with a few swishes of the indicators. I ended up with Finland, with other nordic countries, Netherlands, and Canada close behind.

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    • Jane, a squirrel fell down your chimney! I’ve fretted about that happening, but so far it hasn’t. How did you get it out of the house? I know what you mean about index, I messed around with the sliders too. All I can tell you for certain is that the countries it suggested for me seemed darned expensive to live in.

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      • I’m not sure how we got it out; I screamed and ran into the bedroom, leaving my husband to get it out! 😂 I’m not sure how much difference there is in the cost of living from country to country, but I’m happy to stay put! 🇨🇦🍁

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        • Ha! Good job then to your husband. I probably would have done the same thing. I’m with you, I’m happy enough where I am in the USA so using the index was merely a theoretical exercise.

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  20. I’ve had a few dogs come into the yard to say hello, but none in the house that I can recall. The most bizarre animal that came in the through the sliding glass doors that I had left open for our Diva Dog to come back in many years ago was a little song sparrow. Oh my gosh, what a farce that was trying to shoo it out the door. It was terrified, I was terrified Diva Dog would come in and go after it so, there we were both the Sparrow and me flapping around the family trying to get to an open door. It took several LONG minutes, but thankfully it all ended well.

    More Drags please! 😊🐉

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  21. LOL, I love that Cookie paid you a visit. She sounds adorable. We’ve had many unexpected canine visitors, but the majority are repeat offenders and not nearly so well-trained as Cookie. They are, of course, all from our LAPD Captain neighbor. He doesn’t train his dogs. He doesn’t walk his dogs. Instead, he merely opens his door at night and lets them roam the neighborhood. This of course means that they poop wherever they like and risk being hit by a car. They also escape all the time–usually when he’s sleeping off drinking–and then howl at the door at 1 AM. I’ve rescued and put them back in the yard dozens of times.

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    • Autumn, your experience with your neighbor’s dogs is 180º opposite of my experience with Cookie. I’m sorry this is an ongoing issue for you. What a jackass for letting the dogs go out wild at night. He sounds like a fool— and aren’t you lucky to live near him. 🤨

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  22. I used to have an orange cat as a roommate (he was not my cat) and he locked me out of the house once. But no strange animal has come into my house ever.

    My map looks a lot like yours. I belong in Norway. But I think everyone really belongs in Norway. As long as we don’t care about being warm.

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  23. Oh my! I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of a neighbour’s dog making her/his way in through an open door. I have had raccoons knock at my back door after I let my cat back in!
    I must say, I have been known to leave a door open a time or thrice.

    Apparently, we all belong in Norway. No matter how I played with the slider thingies… Being a Canadian, that does appeal to me 😉

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  24. We had a dog that visited our neighbors house. They actually finished watching a television show before realizing she was there watching it with them.
    Yes, Please post more of Drags.
    The map thing didn’t work on my phone but I might try again at the library.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Venus, this is a wonderful story. Your dog must have been quiet and mellow. Maybe like the TV show they were watching.

      Thanks for letting me know about the index not working on your phone. I can’t do anything about it other than say sorry.

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  26. I do close a door as soon as I walk outside, because I hate getting flies in my house. Back when Lad’s Finnegan lived with us, we had an incident with a neighbor’s German Shepard, Oden. Oden is never leashed, which boggles the mind because he has nipped at Coach’s calf once when Coach was on a run. The ‘dad’ likes to think Oden is perfectly trained.

    Anyway, Finn was on a leash, and had access to the grass next to the deck. We saw free-range Oden coming whilst on a walk. We preferred Finn to be enclosed on the deck when his best buddy visited, because Oden ‘played’ with Finn very roughly and tended to bite him. I didn’t find it playful. So we tried to get Finn back up on the deck so we could close the gate, but we were too late. The leash burned my hands as Finn attempted to bolt towards Oden. While we were restraining/separating Finn from Oden, Oden ran onto the deck thru the open gate and then ran into our house. Mini and I left the sliding door open when we ran outside to try to get Finn back on the deck. Oden was INSIDE my house. He snatched one of Finn’s toys and then ran back to the grass, sort of taunting his buddy, as in “I have your TOY!” Oden’s dad came along and summoned him. The toy was dropped, and we managed with lots of force to get Finn back up on the deck.

    Phew, that was almost it’s own post. I’m glad you convinced Cookie to leave. BTW I do love the name Cookie for a spotted dog. So cute. I do enjoy the occasional Drags sighting/appearance.

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  27. Another vote for Norway, here. Finland was high on the list, too. Honestly, I pretty much wanted to put all of the sliders all the way to the right. Who doesn’t want all of those things at a high level? I’m no longer needing great work-balance to be a priority for myself, being mostly out of the work force, but I want it to for all of those who are younger and still need to work. So, none of my sliders were very far to the left.

    Cookie sounds like a dog who knows how to have a good time and makes sure they have it. 🙂 Your story reminds me of my childhood, when everyone pretty much let their dogs run free. That time is long gone in my part of the country. I kind of miss it.

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    • Rita, you’re right about wanting to push the sliders to the right, but realizing I’d be dishonest to say things like work-life balance mattered now. If nothing else messing around with the index is a good way to assess what’s important to you in the moment.

      When I was a kid dogs roamed more freely than they do now. Cookie knows how to get out of her fenced-in backyard and escapes every so often. She is a hoot to see running around. A definite people dog.

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    • Judy, I wouldn’t want wildlife in the house. If that was a real concern I’d be more conscientious about closing a door behind me, but up on the elevated deck it’s less likely when I’m standing right there. Unless you’re a friendly neighbor dog. I’ll let Drags know he has another fan.

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  30. Your visit from Cookie reminded me of my black cat Sherman. He used to wander into the neighbor’s open French doors and bask on the living room rug in the sun. My neighbor didn’t mind until she wanted to take an afternoon nap and was startled to crawl into her bed and found herself on top of Sherman!

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  31. Funny! You know – I think I’d opt for Cookie over other possible uninvited guests like spiders, stink bugs or squirrels. At least she was willing to walk out the front door on her own power!

    And in a nice confluence with dogs and Norway, I have a friend who lived a year abroad as a kid in Norway. He swears that there was a dog there that knew how to ride the mass transit by himself to go visit his best dog friend.

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  32. Mine came out as Norway but as I entered my preferences the scale jockeyed between Norway, Canada, Iceland and Australia. I think they’re probably all pretty close, particularly in certain areas.

    I used to have a cat try to enter the house to visit my cats. This kitty was very purry and gregarious but my cats disliked her enormously (which seemed to have no effect on visiting kitty). I always coaxed her out with a bit of tuna. Or maybe that’s why she came around!

    Great post, Ally. Cheers.

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  33. Laughing laughing laughing (out loud even) here. Yes, we have had two instances of unexpected inside the house dog visits since we’ve lived here.

    The first was many many years ago when we had stripped our house down to the studs, doing additions and reconfiguration of walls…and husband decided I wouldn’t be able to pick out finishes (they didn’t call them finishes way back then, it was interior decorating) and so we had a designer and his assistant come out to look at what we had and put together some ideas. When they arrived I opened the door and there was a man, a woman and a large dog standing on our porch. I welcomed them in, even though I thought it was odd they brought their dog without asking us. (Our own dog was sequestered in the bedroom behind closed doors.) As we were taking their coats and doing pleasant small talk I asked what their dog’s name was. They looked at me blankly and said “We thought this was your dog.” Apparently he (or she) was just standing on our porch when they arrived. We opened the dog and told him or her to go home and he or she left. I never saw that dog before or since.

    The second time was a few years ago when I was out shoveling the driveway. A neighbor up the road was outside shoveling his driveway with his dog running around loose. The dog saw me and decided to come visit, so ran across lawns to get to me. I didn’t know the dog well, and wasn’t sure what to do so I just greeted him and attempted to grab his collar, as his owner was lumbering through deep snow on his way to collect his dog. I couldn’t grab the collar and the dog ran up the driveway, onto our porch, and then stood on his hind feet, one foot pushed the door knob lever, and the door opened, upon which he galloped into the house. My husband was asleep on the sofa and was quite surprised when Simon the dog ran into the room and jumped on the sofa beside him. I and the neighbor were trailing quite a ways behind, not being as light on our feet as Simon was. Confused husband arrived at the door with Simon, who ran to his dad and we all laughed.

    Thanks for reminding me of both of these events. They still bring me smiles.

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    • Dawn, your story about the mystery dog is one for the books. HOW HILARIOUS! I can understand how it happened, but that it happened is something out of a TV sitcom.

      I love knowing that Simon knew how to open the front door, let himself inside, no problem. Isn’t that too much! I can imagine your husband’s surprise. Obviously Simon was a good boy, just out on an adventure. Too funny.

      Thanks for sharing your stories here. You’ve made my day.

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  34. Ha! Your visiting dog story was so funny! And your re-enactment featuring Drags was delightful. Yes, to more Drags in future posts! He’s so adorable!
    I’m having secret suspicions that the OECD Index was written by a Norweigan! 😂

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    • Michelle G., I’ll let Drags know you like him. I’d forgotten about him, but don’t tell him that, okay?

      I agree with you about the Norwegian connection to the index. It seems like an amazing number of coincidences that almost all of us would end up there. 🤨

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  36. What a story. I was waiting for utter destruction in the house, so I’m glad that didn’t happen!

    I got Switzerland (closely followed by Norway and then Iceland).

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    • Elisabeth, it could have been utter destruction except for the fact that Cookie is so well-behaved, other than darting into a neighbor’s house. She is a goof, but a pleasant one. Not that I’m inviting her back inside.

      Switzerland wouldn’t be a bad place to live, I’m thinking. Chocolate, watches, cheese!

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  37. I would love having a neighbor’s dog come for a visit but no such luck. When you first described the situation I thought it was going to turn out to be a skunk that snuck by you. I wonder how long your neighbor’s dog had been waiting for the opportunity to check out your house. LOL

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    • Jean, I’m sure you’d love Cookie, even with her size and energy she’s calm-ish and pretty. Cookie can see our deck from her fenced-in backyard so who knows, maybe she’s a nosy neighbor who saw her chance. She’s figured out how to unlock her gate so she’s not a dim bulb.

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  38. I guess Norway will soon experience a sudden glut of bloggers looking to set up households. If it wasn’t so dang cold there, I’d really consider it (and after November5, maybe the cold won’t be as much of a detriment).

    Like Ren, I’d run up your stairs into your screened-in porch too. They aren’t a “thing” in our climate, but I really love them, and yours looks very welcoming.

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    • Janis, I’m laughing here about a glut of bloggers. That really sounds like it should be name for a group of us. Norway’s probably too cold for me, too, but the index didn’t allow us to indicate temperature preferences.

      Like ren, you’d be welcome in the screened-in porch. They’re a practical way to enjoy the seasons, covered overhead but with fresh air around you. Screened-in porches are popular here, but fire pits are gaining on them as the ‘IN’ thing to have.

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  39. Impressive dog removal technique! I shut doors because I had a neighbor who had a chipmunk run inside once and it was a nightmare to get it out.

    I couldn’t figure out the index once I moved the icons. I probably need an island to myself.🤣

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    • Bijoux, you know I’d never thought about chipmunks running inside and now that I have I’m going do better about closing doors behind me. I don’t need that kind of nightmare.

      I adore the idea that the index is telling you to get your own island. Sure, why not? 😜

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  40. So, apparently you and I will be neighbors in Norway. My second most favorite country is Iceland. My least favorite is South Africa.

    One thing the survey did not ask about, however, is climate and I hate the cold. Norway and Iceland are not appealing.

    After November 5, I may be looking for a new country to call home. Portugal and Mexico are looking pretty good right now.

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    • Laurie, I agree that the index would be better if it included a temperature slider because that’s an important variable when it comes to where I want to live.

      Portugal and Mexico both have beautiful artwork + history + cuisine I could enjoy so living in either might suit me. Darned sight warmer than Norway.

      Like

  41. While I’ve not been the visitEE, my dachshund, aptly named Cricket, was forever hopping over to all of our neighbors for treatsies, every time I accidentally left the front door open. They would feed her and then bring her home… hehehehe, naughty little thing… hugs

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  43. Hahahaha oh Cookie. What a sweetheart, I can just picture the giant dog in your house waiting for a snack. No one on our road has a fence, so frequently dogs will pop down for a visit. They sniff Rex and then everyone goes home naturally. We haven’t had one in our house though, although a couple have come up on our deck.

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    • Nicole, Cookie is known around here because she’s figured out how to unlock the gate to her fenced-in yard. Not every week, but many weeks. She’s really a sweet dog, but a goofball. She’s come up on our deck before but this time she invited herself inside. So unexpected.

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  44. I usually close doors behind me; but after being locked out several times by The Husband (unintentionally) he would always turn the thumb locks on the doors even if it had a deadbolt. I made sure that there were no thumb locks on any of the outer doors in this house.

    I must have done the index wrong because I didn’t get an answer at all.

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  45. Hmm – someone took liberties and you need a “guardian of the gates” like Drags to not only monitor Cookie’s comings-and-goings but thwart any more intrusions! Funny that saying “WALKIES” worked. I have never had a dog or any unwanted animal get into the house and I am diligent about keeping the doors closed so no mousies might try to sneak in, especially this time of year, but unlike you, I only have the two entry doors, no more. Years ago when we, along with our next-door neighbor Marge, fed a neighborhood squirrel we finally had to stop feeding him as every time we went out the side door, Sammy would go into begging mode and was bold about getting his way and we figured it was a matter of time before he would squeeze by our feet and gain entry to the house, so that was nipped in the bud. Drags is cute and we need more cute and fun stuff in our lives these days! I did try the Better Life Index and my top three countries were Iceland, Finland and Switzerland … (all “lands” but “Canadaland” was close, but not a top contender).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, Cookie caused no harm but added some excitement to a dull chore. She’s supposed to stay in her yard, there’s a fence, but she knows how to get the gate open so she does.

      I wouldn’t want to have a squirrel get in the house. We had mice at one point but they were in the attic, snuck in through holes in the roof.

      I think Drags is cute, too. Adds a dash of the surreal to any post he finds himself in. Iceland, Finland, and Switzerland sound like good places to live, in theory at least.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Ally, we had neighbors behind us that had a dog that climbed the fence. It actually climbed up and over – no problem at all. It would visit the yards of the neighbors, scaling each of their fences, then go home.

        My grandmother had squirrels in her attic once. She was sitting in the living room watching TV and heard something running above her head and called in a pest control service. The exterminator got the squirrels out and released them, but they chewed on wood and did a lot of damage.

        I say “go for it” with Drags.

        I’m not a fan of cold weather, but those countries’ way of life is much more laid back, especially Finland. I followed a Finnish blogger for a while – he was in his 80s and a wonderful photographer who wrote each post in four or five different languages, which he translated himself, not using Google Translator. He wrote about how important family time and sauna time was and marveled that Americans did not enjoy “down time” and worked too hard. He no longer writes; he told his followers his wife complained he was married to his blog and not to her, so he had to stop blogging.

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        • I’d say that the Finnish blogger was on to something with his observation about American lifestyle choices. People do resist having down time fearing something bad will happen to them if they mellow out. Not me, of course. Maybe I’m Finnish in more core!

          Liked by 1 person

          • Ha ha – you just know how to live right Ally. You have traveled to Europe and see how they take time out of their day to prepare/eat/enjoy their meals and leisure time. He did like his sauna time. 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

  47. My top 10 countries: Iceland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the US, Norway, Australia, The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and New Zealand. Canada and Denmark are the next two. Interesting I had all the Scandinavian countries, as well as two countries (Australia and the Netherlands) I’ve actually been to. Fun quizzie…

    Liked by 1 person

    • John, I like your slate of countries, they seem doable in the theoretical way presented by this index. I’ve not been to Australia or the Netherlands but would enjoy seeing them. On my top 10 list Canada is the only country I’ve visited.

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  48. Somehow, when I started reading, I had the idea that the tail of which you wrote was going to be a snake. People around here take such careful control of their dogs these days that I haven’t had any unexpected canine visitors. But a story comes to mind about a big black snake that slithered into my daughter’s house when she lived in Nashville. It’s a good story if I could remember it all and if you’d want to hear it. Something about the snake peeking out of the stereo and stacks of CDs. Rose called her husband who came home and made a mess of things. Then the neighbor came over and joined the fun. Eventually, the two men caught the snake, put it in a pail and drove someplace upstream from the house and let it out so it could swim back down.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicki, oh I’m enjoying your daughter’s snake story from afar. A snake in the house would freak me out and I’m not surprised it took two men to capture it and relocate it FAR away. While Cookie is a goofball and easy to get out of the house, snakes are another story. 😳

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  50. Once again, I’m struck by how much we seem to have in common. Norway came out with the tallest splot on my map, although there were an awful lot of countries above 8.0 so perhaps I’d be happy anywhere. It didn’t ask me about language and since I’m dreadful at languages and only passable at English, I need an English speaking country. Or at least one where it’s the common second language and pretty much everyone speaks it.

    I say again, by the way, as I never got around to going back and commenting on your last post. We shared many of the same responses. I thought about doing your odd questions but, time is just sucked right out of my life right now.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Zazzy, I hadn’t thought about the language barrier as a variable to consider when choosing which country to live in, but you’re right. I’m not great with languages either and have little inclination to learn a new one.

      Thanks for reading the unique questions post. I thought that those questions were infinitely more interesting than many of the interview questions I read. I like The Guardian, it keeps my mind open.

      Liked by 1 person

  51. I love a good smile to start things off. Between the uninvited guest and then the guest appearance by Drags, it was a good star for todayt! (Yes, Drags needs to come out more often.)
    I was for sure going to say we could be neighbors in our ideal community, as I also scored just right for Norway. BUT when I separated for gender, The Netherlands beat out that far northern piece of Scandinavia. The US came in second so I guess I’m not far from where I belong.
    And I’m an old man. I can’t be wasting energy closing and then re-opening a door that is already open. Open/close — one time only! Yes, even refrigerator doors. (Except for the garage door because there always has to be an exception somewhere.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, IF me yelling “walkies” hadn’t worked THEN I’d have tried a treat to get Cookie out of the house. Me thinks she’d go anywhere for a little something, something. Drags certainly has a fan club here. I’ll let him know.

      Liked by 1 person

  54. So interesting that so many people belong in Norway! I haven’t tried the index, however. I already know I need to be in Italy. 😊

    Yes, I have had a neighbor’s dog come in my house. I was a kid though. My best friend’s dog used to pop over. He didn’t think he was a dog. He thought he was family.

    When I go outside, I usually lock the door, since I live in an apartment.

    Drags needs to be featured more often. 😊 😊 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • L. Marie, I don’t get the Norway angle of the assessments, but it seems to be A THING. I’d like to live in Italy, now that you mention it. Great food, wonderful history.

      It’s funny how your neighbor’s dog thought he was family. Totally believable, of course.

      Living in an apartment makes for different ways of dealing with doors, obviously. Drags is getting a big head with all this commenter love!

      Like

  55. I want to see a photo of kooky & goofy Cookie ~ we had 3 Great Danes growing up.

    They snuck out of our house on occasion but I don’t know that any infiltrated a neighbor’s abode looking for walks or treats. Maybe Cookie decided to go Trick or Treating a bit early?

    I usually shut the door immediately because outside in Florida is like a furnace and the A/C is already working hard enough.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nancy, if I get the chance to snap a pic of Cookie I will. She lives a few doors down behind a fence with a gate she’s figured out how to open.

      I’m laughing and agreeing that Cookie may well have decided to celebrate Halloween early. She was a half trickster, half treat to see up close.

      Yes, in FL I’d close the door immediately, too. But here in the midwest sometimes it doesn’t seem worth it. Or at least until the Cookie incident it didn’t seem worth it.

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  57. Alas I have had those dogs in the past! Lucky and Breeze occasionally went walk about in the country and ended up in someone else’s yard. We try to shut our doors completely. Otherwise, the cats wander in.
    And I didn’t take the quiz but I know I am in my heart I live in the right country for me!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bernie, Lucky and Breezy sound like cousins of Cookie who has learned how to unlock the gate of her fenced-in yard and the wanders. I’ll be more attentive about shutting the doors in the future.

      Happy to know you’re in the right place for you. According to the results of my assessment Canada is my 9th best place to live!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Lucky and Breeze didn’t have to escape. They had acres to roam. Alas, we often meet our new neighbour’s when they would phone to say the dogs were over. Eventually, they got too old to be so silly going walk about. Our new one Skye would never think about doing that. She’s a home body. Being a Covid dog, she doesn’t even like when strange vehicles drive in the yard.

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    • Eilene, yes you need to keep those doors closed. I do that with the ground level doors but up on the deck I’ve gotten lazy.

      Enjoy the Scandinavian country of your choice! Many of the commenters here are headed that way.

      Liked by 1 person

  59. Haha when you first wrote Cookie I was imagining a toy dog or a cat…but nope, a huge dog did a home invasion!

    I haven’t had a neighbours pet come into my house but my dog rolled in fox poo 💩 then chased my neighbours cat runs their living room…oops 🫣

    I thing drags does a fine cookie impersonation & I’d definitely be up for seeing him more often ☺️

    You have a beautiful home Ally.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Rae Cod, I understand why you might think Cookie would be a tiny bite-size dog, but she’s huge, named because the dark spots on her, the Dalmatian part, look like chocolate chips to the family who named her.

      Yuck about your dog and the fox poo. That’s just plain lousy all around.

      I’ll let Drags know he has another fan. Thanks for the compliment about the house, we like it here.

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  60. Dragon does make me smile!
    Yes I had a dog pop his gigantic body in my house when I left the back door opened and I screamed so loud. When I ran around to get to him he ran out and my family thought I was delusional I wrote about it. Well after that I close the door behind me every time.

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  61. Oh, this happened to me once! There used to be this adorable stray cat that would sit on my porch or right outside my door and one day, I accidentally let the cat inside and it came in, chowed down on the cat food (since I had my cats at this time so it was just sitting out), and then I think I had to pick it up to take it back outside. I wasn’t ready then (or now) to be a three-time cat mom, haha.

    My ideal countries are Norway and Switzerland. Let’s be neighbors! 😉

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    • Stephany, your story about the stray cat is SO CAT! That’s exactly what I’d expect a visiting cat to do, munch down, then be escorted out. I’m smiling here.

      Would love to be your neighbor in Norway. So many people here got Norway, go figure. 🤔

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  62. I’m just leaving Charleston today (at the airport) and while here I saw a T-shirt that said, “Sorry I’m late. I saw a dog.” I guess that wouldn’t be one you’d buy, huh? 😉 Except for the possible mauling of my cats and rabbit, I’d love for a neighbor dog to come running into my house!

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    • The Travel Architect, I like seeing dogs, petting them, saying sweet nothings to them, but Cookie caught me off-guard with her goofball antics. I take your point about how for you an uninvited neighbor dog could cause a lot of trouble. You have a gang there that might not welcome a dog.

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  63. Drags is most welcome and seems quite comfortable being part of the conversation. I believe that Drags knows exactly where his/her/their home is. Me? I try to not let myself dream of my favorite place (which is warmer than NE and has a water view, while I currently have a wooded view) and instead make wherever I live currently be my home. I add my knickknacks, my colors (soft blues and greens with a splash of red here and there), soft music (or rock’n’roll when needed), lots of windows and LIGHT and love. Ahhhh, home. ❤ Oh, and yes, neighbors' dogs love us and stop by our front porch for pats and kisses every minute they get. If the door happens to be open, they happen to believe they should explore inside. The only dogs that get away with that are our granddogs. Sneaky little devils, they come and stay for a few days.

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    • Pam, yes Drags is at home here and likes to sit in different places around the house so that he can gaze upon nature. I like your way of making a house your home. There’s a lot to be said for choosing colors you like and surrounding yourself with your favorite stuff, no matter where you live.

      I adore knowing your neighbor dogs get pats and kisses and laughing about your sneaky granddogs come to visit for a few days. It all sounds charming and fun.

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  64. Goodness, Cookie must be a BIG DOG! I’m glad she went home when instructed. There used to be a dog in my dad’s neighborhood, Tilly. Tilly’s people would let her run all over the place, they never worried about her or thought of anyone but Tilly. She was a sweet dog, but I would never let a dog run around like that. One neighbor said, “Oh, Tilly? She’s sweet and all, but she came into my house, straight to the kitchen, and stole the roast chicken off of the counter that I was about to cut up for our dinner.” I’ll admit that I was wondering if that was where the Cookie Caper was headed. I’m glad it wasn’t!

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    • J, Cookie is LARGE and gentle and curious and full of energy. Cookie lives in a fenced-in yard, but the kids who live there don’t always lock the gate properly so Cookie, being nobody’s fool, has learned how to unlock the loose gate which is what happened on the day she came over for a visit. Tilly stole a roast chicken! Oh that is funny and annoying. Cookie was just being a goofball.

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  66. I never had a neighbor’s dog visit, but a neighbor’s cat used to come by, invite herself in and walk around our (old) house. She was very friendly and very vocal. I actually didn’t want her to leave 🙂

    BTW, we should move together. I also belong in Norway! 🙂

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    • San, that’s sweet that you had a neighbor’s cat come over for a friendly chatty visit. They are curious and your house must have called to them.

      Norway is where many of us bloggers are going to live. It’s been amazing. 🇳🇴

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  67. It looks like you were extra entertained with the neighbours dog. I wouldn’t have expected that to happen. Must have wanted to go on an adventure with you with responding to walkies. 😁

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