Cat, neighbors show disrespect

Dear Abby: My husband and I are child-free 30-somethings who own a home with a yard and no fence. Our house and yard are a sanctuary from our hectic professional lives.

Lately, the neighbor's cat has been using our yard as a place to recline, and it hisses at me angrily when I tell it to go home. I'm not fond of cats, and I'm actually afraid of this one. Also, another neighbor and his kids have been using our yard as a thoroughfare from the property behind us to their own yard, which has a fence.

I don't go into other people's yards. I respect the space of other people. I expect that respect in return, and don't want people tramping through our yard. We plan to plant more flower beds in the future, and they will be in the way of their path. Am I curmudgeonly to feel this way, or should other people respect our privacy and property? —Encroached Upon In Florida

Dear Encroached Upon: They should respect your privacy, property and expressed wishes — but it appears they don't. So surround your property either with a hedge or an attractive fence. And as to the cat that is "menacing" you, tell its owners that unless they keep it off your property, you will inform animal control. (Then do it if necessary).

Dear Abby: I saw something today that broke my heart. A woman who appeared to be in her late 30s was sitting in a restaurant with a woman who looked to be in her mid-70s. It may have been her mother. The entire time I was in the restaurant — about an hour—I saw not one sign of verbal or visual contact between them.

The reason? The younger woman was on a hands-free cell phone, talking office talk from the moment their orders were placed. The older woman sat eating her meal, clearly with little interest and no animation. When they were finished eating, the younger one paid the server, and then gestured "let's leave" by pointing toward the exit. She got up quickly, motioning for her mother to hurry.

I found the episode upsetting, and I hope she reads this: Life is so short. Take your mom to lunch whenever you can but talk with her, laugh with her, connect with her. Show her the respect and kindness she's due. Your cell phone will be around long after your mother is gone, and there will be no memories to bring you comfort. —Always Made Time For Mom In Baltimore