A few points that we’ve presented perhaps need further clarification – we both have physical challenges pertaining to our legs from respective different causes. Otherwise, we’re both relatively normal for people looking at 70 closer than we’d like.
All of our exterior doors are steel, with steel frames, and the doors interlock solidly with their frames when the doors are closed, and all have triple locks.
The shotgun upstairs is a .410, not a 12 gauge, not a 20 gauge. Neither of us intends on shooting at anything15-20 yards away, we’re focused on closer ranges – 10-20 feet. We’re continuing to focus our training with a scenario that’s more likely to occur in mind (as most have advised), which is 1-3 intruders. Should we experience a repeat of such a situation (thankfully, it’s been awhile since the last ones), we’re better prepared. We’re not training for an attack by an army, and should an army show up (which we both feel is most unlikely, as a few of you have also expressed), quite simply – we’re screwed!!! Knowing that, we feel that one must concentrate their efforts on scenarios with the greater probability of occuring, rather than wasting time on efforts to counter scenarios with the remote probabilities of happening.
The reason we’re relocating is I’m no longer practicing in healthcare (32+ years, and I hated almost every one!!!). We’re from the mid-west, and she still has family living there. We want a calmer, slower, sparser populated area. Even tho’ we live in what we now refer to as a “semi-rural” area, a couple of minutes by car, and we’re in very heavy “semi-urban” traffic. When we came here 20 years ago, it was quiet and serene, but the explosion of people here in the last 5+ years have ruined our once-enjoyable area, and since they’re not leaving – we are.
While we’d like to have a dog, fences are limited to a height of 4’ in our area, which we feel is a waste of our money for something so low. And we both refuse to walk a dog so he/she can “do their duty” in the rain/snow/cold/humid heat. But, I’ve got a Norwegian Forest Cat that’s 43” long from nose to tail, “16 tall at the shoulders, weighs in at a petite 32 pounds, and is very vocal whenever anyone rings the doorbell - so, would that be considered a “watch cat”? Just tho’t we’d throw that out for abit of humour.
To one and all – my wife and I have read your comments many times, and feel that every one of them was submitted with the best intentions in mind, and with genuine concern for our best interests, as well. Our hearty appreciation to each and every one!!!