Greg built a new pool, which became very popular. He had always wanted one for his family.

He had saved enough money and was ready for a great summer in the pool. But he didn’t know everyone else in the neighborhood would be having a great summer, too.

When Greg and Jeanne Miller moved to Old Sacramento, their house needed work.

They wanted one thing. They saved up and eventually had enough to build a pool, but it would cost them more than just money.

The couple didn’t have children but loved kids and were great with their nieces and nephews. 

Then, they saw some heads peeking over the fence in their backyard. It was their neighbor Sandra and her kids. She had a question for Greg and Jeanne.

She asked the couple if her kids and other kids from the neighborhood could use their new pool.

After a talk, Greg agreed. They loved kids and were happy to see them having fun.

Greg called everyone to the pool to set some ground rules. He told them that they had to follow the rules if they wanted to use the pool.

They could swim, but no dogs. Greg asked because the pool lining was fragile, and dogs’ paws could tear it. 

Greg and Jeanne heard the children laughing and having fun in the pool.

But then they heard something that made Greg angry. He ran to the window and saw what he feared. The kids had broken the rule.

Greg saw a kid from the neighborhood sneak into the backyard with his big German Shepherd dog. The dog jumped in the pool and scratched it with its claws. It also played rough with the other kids in the water.

Greg went to the pool, where the kids played with the dog. He asked the kids whose dog it was. One of the boys said it belonged to his family.

Greg told them the rule and was disappointed they had broken it. 

The kids got the dog out of the pool, and it whimpered. Greg watched the kids leave, feeling frustrated. 

The neighbors had taken advantage of him for too long, and he would stop it. He didn’t care if they fell out.

He made a few calls and started his plan. A big truck was parked outside Greg and Jeanne’s house.

Greg put a fence in his backyard to keep the kids out. He put up a sign saying the pool was for private use and that trespassers would be prosecuted.

Greg’s neighbors respected his boundaries. 

A few weeks later, Greg left town for a couple of days. 

He didn’t know what was going on behind his back. His neighbors were up to no good.

They watched for his car and snuck in when he was out of sight.

Greg went to check his pool the following day and was furious. There was another scratch in his pool. He had a plan. If she took the bait, it would be revenge. He just had to contact a few people.

Greg made a few phone calls and started to implement his plan. A big truck was parked outside Greg and Jeanne’s house. 

An IT company came with a small vehicle and installed a surveillance system, a key part of Greg’s plan.

Greg tested his theory a few days after the cameras were running. He told his neighbor he and his wife were leaving town.

When they came back, Greg saw the kids. He didn’t need the cameras. He saw it.

The kids and dog were in his pool, even though he’d told them not to.

He gave his neighbor the bills and said another would come because the dog was in the pool again.

She returned the invoices and said, “I won’t pay this.” She called the kids and left, leaving Greg where he wanted to be.

Greg went to his lawyer with the evidence. 

A few weeks later, Greg was in court, facing his neighbor. 

He gave the USB stick with the evidence on it to the judge. Her eyes opened wide.

The judge ruled in Greg’s favor and ordered his neighbor to pay for the pool repairs. 

Greg’s neighbors said he was unwelcoming and selfish.

Greg thought about it and talked to his wife. They found a solution.

After talking to a neighbor, he decided on a simple solution: He found a compromise that would please everyone.

Greg opened his home to all his neighbors every month. The kids could have fun, and he could repair his relationship with his neighbors.

But Greg’s plan had more than just kids in his pool. The kids weren’t the only ones in the neighborhood. The neighbors did.

Greg decided to open his backyard to the community each month. It would be a big barbecue for everyone in the neighborhood.

The kids could play in the pool while the adults talked about local issues. They could make sure nobody’s property got damaged.