What to do if you think some's sneaking in??

OK, so, I am downstairs at the computer, eating lunch, dog with me. I hear the kitchen storm door slam. I don't expect anyone who lives here, I know their schedules. I hear a few footsteps in the kitchen. I hear the door slam again. I forget to listen for steps going back down the deck stairs or watch for that from where I am. During this the dog looks at me , I am checking the windows to see if one of the vehicles has returned, I am silent. We are quiet people, it's not surprising if one came in and didn't holler "I'm Home" This is not a neighborhood where we expect daytime intruders but then again it's not out of the question. I have three windows downstairs that gives me view front, back and driveway side which covers the area one would have to exit. Never saw a thing.
Nothing was missing. I don't keep my purse in reach or eyesight of the door because of an incident years ago here, at night. I almost think this belongs on the ghost thread. There is a new housing development going up behind us through a thin woods border so I have had concern that this area is not as cut off as it used to be.

So question is, how should I have reacted? I guess I should yell hey and get the dog going, but I didn't want to reveal where I was. Any stranger that sees this dog coming is going to get the heck away. And should I keep doors locked now? I used to try. What do you do when home alone?

Oh how scary. I once lived in a house that had 3 ghosts and yep I would hear the same noises. For some reason dogs are "paralyzed" when there are ghosts around. I had my mom's dog one time when the "ghost" decided to make an appearence. He was a barker too, well all he did was sit and stare towards the ceiling. Then another time ex-step son had a friend over who had a aggresive German Shepard, the ghost appeared and scared the daylights out of the dog it just sat there staring off into space and shaking like a leaf. We had a medium come to the house and she told us there were 3 ghosts. She works with the FBI. One of the ghosts showed himself out of our bedroom window when ex-stepson friend came over, he saw him as he drove uo our driveway. We were gone camping that weekend. It's a long story from the begining.

Is there snow outside or something you could look for prints? My biggest Q is, why didn't the dog react?

That's very scary when you alone. I keep a baseball bat near me when I'm at the computer.

Definitely keep the doors locked because you never know what kind of weirdos are strolling the streets.

I should add that Purpbutfly should post her experiences on the ghost thread.

LOL, I love telling the story so I will go there and tell it.

By the way--I'm glad nobody is saying what they do. This is a public place.
OK, I feel a little better- the door doesn't always latch and I just heard the cat make it slam. (Yes, like a fool, here I am again same set up as yesterday!!!!Except dog is upstairs close to the door. I left the dog and cat having a "play" session in the dining room.!) But the footsteps? The cat's not That fat, or wear shoes. But I wasn't concentrating on that until after I heard it and you know your brain can jump to conclusions...
No snow or mud for prints. Dog seemed to look for me to decide whether to go up, maybe that also indicates there wasn't a person entering because she usually goes into convulsions of joy over family members returning. Today we practiced "Let's go! Up!"

hcmcdole- You are right and I'll try again. I am glad my mom is doing it more. With so many people out at work etc, it would be easy for someone to walk thru this area and try a few things.

We have gangs that travel our neighborhood. Doors are ALWAYS locked. The lady who used to live here had here was harassed and her mailbax destroyed many times by these kids because she stood up to them. We've called and had the police cruise this area at night and, recently, in the daytime. One of our neighbors set up a neighborhood watch. Everybody watches everybody else, anyway. ☺

It's very disheartening to move into a nice place, then find out it's overrun by hoodlums. Yesterday, I came home from the store and they had tagged the billboard 2 blocks from us.

It's nicer now with the police cruising through but we still see the helicpoter fyling over the top of us. That's when the cats come in and we're in double lockdown.

I can't wait to move.

A lot of thefts take place during the day while people are at work. My nephew had his large screen TV stolen within a week or so after he got it. I guess the box at the trash advertised it. The neighbors saw the people who stole it too but thought it was perfectly normal - back the truck up and help yourself.

We live out and in what I feel is safe area, but I am more diligent these days about keeping doors locked then I used to be. I am a middle aged, out of shape woman who could easily get whopped!!