Home Security. Dog or Burglar Alarm: Which is Best?

My neighbour was burgled recently.  This set me off on a path to thinking about having a dog again.  I am no novice to dog-keeping nor training.  I felt doubt only over whether or not to have a burglar alarm fitted and to take other security measures. 

The conclusion after a few minutes’ internet search regarding what was best, burglar alarm or dog, was that a burglar alarm and other electronic ant-theft devices were preferred by the insurance companies, and a dog may be seen as a liability.  Especially if it bites somebody.  Plus I would feel awful.  The problem is that internet advice leans overwhelmingly to an American context.  Here in Central Western Brazil it is diferent for me.  Because most people feel reluctant, even embarrassed, about speaking English, I feel an obligation to stick to Portuguese, even though I am British (Welsh, though non-Welsh speaking, regrettably).

As you may have noticed, life is complicated.  The burglar alarm man and electric fence-erector and CCTV maintainer are the same person. But he is hard to reach. He installed the CCTV together with another bod.  I was then reassured that his assistant would always be available 24/7 in case of queries, or words to that effect.  Of course, he was never heard of for seen again.  As for the Main Man, he has two mobiles and never answers them.  People around here ofte only give you their mobile number for the excellent reason that the have no fixed offce land line. Plus I cannot understand the language of security systems.  I write it down and am very conscientious in trying to understand, but very often the advice is wrong or the product is very poor quality or I simply don’t understand or something else happens and the pursuit of the maintenance man falls into abeyance for three weeks until I have to ask Mrs Beaumont

 

“What’s the situation with Joe Blogs the security expert/  When is he coming around to fix the electric fence?”

It can get you down.  Even if you are the type of person who thrives oin challenges. So I decided to get a dog.  I feel I am not a spontaneous person and I like to think I weigh up the pros and cons of an idea. But I like dogs and spend hours alone (despite being a sociable and very well adjusted person) and don’t mind cleaniing up after them and enjoy training them.

So I decided to go ahead. I looked at an advertising web site and made choice.  And more on that to come.