Reader pranks vacationing co-worker but goes too far

Dear Annie: My office mates and I enjoy a good prank as a way of keeping things light. Recently, a good friend of mine, “Jimmy,” went on an extended vacation with his family. I decided to do a prank I have long wanted to do: put his house up for sale. My wife, “Diana,” told me that I would get arrested and go to jail. I laughed it off, as she often says this to me when I am considering a next-level prank.

I listed his home in a local paper, “for sale by buyer,” and described “myself” as a motivated seller. I instructed readers to call “my” cellphone. I put “for sale” signs in his yard and even went the extra mile of putting up banners. I was surprised that the neighbors never said a word. Well, as you can imagine, my friend’s phone rang hundreds Dear Hurting in Prank of times while he and Town: You’re lucky your his family were vacationing. I “friend” didn’t have you thought it was funny. But my arrested. You seem to be friend did not. unaware of boundaries or

It has been six months since social norms, and you would this prank, and I should be well advised to listen to mention he got two really your wife. It is not up to you good offers, and he still won’t to judge how your friend speak to me. I am hurt, spends his money. He has confused, a bit angry, and every right to take his family wondering why on earth he, on a nice vacation without his wife and his two adult having his phone ring off the children are so angry. I took hook. A vacation is a time to the signs and banners down relax and recharge, and all like they asked, but they are you did, by drumming up a still mad. Even my wife is still fake sale of his house, is to fuming because she says I create stress — for him, his ruined his trip. If you ask me, family and all those potential he shouldn’t be spending all buyers. that money in the first place. The fact that he received two What really gets my goat is good offers is none of your that my office workers have business, and it’s beside the now turned on me, too. point. What’s a friend to do? If your office workers, your Hurting in Prank Town own family and the family that you pulled the prank on all think you need to apologize, perhaps it’s time to take a look in the mirror. If you still don’t see what you did wrong, well, my friend, then you are the clown.

Dear Annie: I was an animal control officer for six years and a pet sitter for 16 years. I just read the two responses to “Missing Out on Friends,” and neither one of them mentioned that 95 percent of shelters require that animals that are adopted from them be returned if, for any reason, the adopter can’t care for them.

Our local shelter took back two 12-year-old cats they had adopted out as kittens when their owner died and there was no one else to take them. One of them had diabetes! I know because I was the woman’s friend and returned them.

So, if “Missing Out on Friends” adopts, then they should make sure the cats could be returned to the shelter if they can’t care for them. And then they should let family or friends know about the situation. “Missing Out on Friends” could also set aside some money for their care, if able. An estate planner can help.

Lover of Pets and People

Dear Lover of Pets

and People: Thank you for this tip, and thank you for taking care of so many stray animals.