I (32M) walked my neighbor's dog while she was in the hospital. Now she's telling everyone I tried to steal him. What do I do?
I (32M) live in a quiet suburb. My neighbor "Carol" (60sF) has a golden retriever, Max. We've only had small talk over three years.
Two weeks ago, she fell and broke her hip. She was hospitalized for a week. I noticed Max barking alone in the backyard, so I texted her and offered to help. She asked if I could walk him in the evenings. I said of course.
I walked Max every evening for five days. Side gate, leash, around the block, refill water. No issues.
When Carol came home, I went over to return the spare key. She opened the door and said coldly, "I know what you were doing. Don't come back here." She said her Ring camera showed me "lingering" and that I was "probably casing the place" or "trying to take Max." I told her I was just walking her dog, like she asked. She said "that's what they all say" and shut the door.
Yesterday, another neighbor asked if I'd "tried to steal Carol's dog." Apparently she's been telling the whole block I was "snooping around" while she was hospitalized.
I was just trying to help. I took nothing. Now the neighborhood looks at me like I'm a criminal. Do I confront her? Ignore it? Talk to other neighbors? I don't want this to become a thing, but I also don't want people thinking I'm a thief.
What should I do here?