Ask Amy: Construction noises are too much for the pup
Am I totally out of luck here, or am I allowed to ask for compensation to vacate my home during construction hours, as well as money for meds/a thundershirt for my puppy?
– Broke Thirtysomething
Dear Broke: If you rent your apartment from the unit’s owner, you should contact your landlord regarding any rent decrease or compensation while work is being done next door. If you are a co-op owner, you should contact your building’s manager and the co-op board to inquire about any possible redress.
One obvious solution would be for you to move your virtual voice classes and other phone work to evenings and weekends, when the next-door apartment will be quiet.
You could try carrying your puppy in a dog sling as much as possible while inside, and spend a lot of time outside during these warm months.
However, because of the trauma of these sudden noises on your puppy, I highly suggest that you try very hard to find someone to foster this young dog in their own home until the demolition and renovation work next door is completed and your apartment is quieter.
Your vet – or the individual or entity where you got the puppy – might have ideas for individuals to temporarily foster your dog.
Dogs can be extremely expensive. You should realistically determine whether you can afford to take good care of this pup.
Dear Amy: My father, who is 83, keeps trying to get me to mend fences with my sister.
My sister isn’t asking for a reconciliation. She doesn’t call, and is never in touch with me.
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