We avoid people.
Neighbours remain strangers because we can't linger to chat to anyone. Running the neighbour gauntlet is one of our biggest daily challenges.
When George first started experiencing challenges, I dropped off an explanatory card and a box of chocolates to each of my immediate neighbours.
Some I've had the chance to talk to. Others we have to scurry away from - or beat a retreat from while George barks and lunges.
All of my neighbours are amazing. I am very grateful for the understanding they have shown us.
We even got dog toys (see 'People aren't always thinking what you think they're thinking').
Because a couple of the houses are rented, some of my new neighbours didn't get the explanatory card. I did ponder this when they moved in but never got round to it, figuring I might explain when I saw them. Which of course I never did, because I hide and run with George, and never go out without him.
I haven't had a chance to explain our situation to my neighbour two doors down. The other morning, we were heading out to work and daycare when she was heading out at the same time. So we went straight back in the house before George could see.
After waiting a couple of minutes, we tried again. As we neared the car, the neighbour started walking back up the driveway. I froze for a second - it was so unexpected - and we scuttled back to hide behind the bin store.
I tried a cheery wave from behind the bin and as she was going back in her house she said "I'm sorry". I said something along the lines of it's not your fault...I hope I wasn't too weird!
But what I thought was beautiful about it was that she was aware of something. Aware that George is a bit different, aware that we're behaving a bit weirdly for a reason, and even aware enough to apologise when she has every right to go back in her own house.
George's anxiety response being the fight response does make it fairly obvious, I suppose.
But that brief "I'm sorry" meant a lot to me. It meant: your dog isn't an absolute nuisance who I hate, and you aren't someone who doesn't care about your dog or your neighbours. It meant: I can see you are trying, and I'm sorry I had to come back and made it a little harder.
That's what I read into it anyway. And I hope I am right!