by Marla A Davis

Created on: January 30, 2010

Even if the alarm company's sucker-shaped declaration of its presence in a home is not stolen by a neighbor, it does what it is designed to do: it advertises. It advertises that the occupants have something to value, or lack the confidence to handle fear or threats in a proactive manner. In addition, it advertises that the occupant is comfortable with taking on a long-term commitment for an ongoing expense, which is somewhat akin to flaunting consumerism.

Often, it means nothing more than it was stolen and used as a prop. This fact will eventually come to light in casual conversation, which is passed along to charismatic strangers who stop a neighbor to inquire about a car for sale or some such. This holds true for bogus "Beware Of Dog" signs as well.

An alarm system declares that the occupant passively protects the property through dependence upon a distant invisible team of strangers. This fosters lack of common sense, such as failure to close the curtains at dusk, or neglecting to keep cover-up apparel handy for answering the door, even if the visitor is well known to the resident. Merely opening the door for a friend or family member gives a would-be stalker a chance glimpse at things that are best kept private.

Furthermore, alarm company software tracks the client's schedule. Does anyone really want someone else to punch a button and come up with several weeks' worth of information about the household schedule, including vacation time announced in advance?

While the sucker-shaped sign sleeps in the sun and freezes in the snow, it remains stationary. A sleeping dog can go from deep somnolence to a slathering, fang-bearing blur in about three seconds from origin to destination. The dog leaves no question as to the location of a disturbance outside the home. If the situation is dire enough, a dog can manufacture it's own doggie door in short order if it seems prudent in pursuit of a perceived threat. Ask a UPS driver for factual accounts of this spectacular phenomenon.

A loyal dog has much at stake in protecting its living quarters as a food source, nice fresh water, and companionship on demand. And, then there's the issue of nice soft furniture for snoozing with one eye open. It would be a major inconvenience to have an alarm company employee take up the entire sofa 'round the clock. And then there's still the issue of cleaning up after the guardian. Cleaning up after the dog; yes, a stranger; no.

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