A Fence for our Furry Friends

As soon as we started looking for a house in VA, we knew we would need a fenced in yard.  We would not have enough land to just let the dogs run free.  So when we finally moved into our house in late October, we started thinking about fences... and then time flew past and it was snowing and nobody installs fences in the snow.  So we waited.  We bought an electric fence, the dogs stay in the yard, problem solved, right?  No.

The electric fence didn't cover our front yard, so we had to take their shock collars off when they came inside or else they would get shocked crossing into the dining room or family room (ask me how I know the exact spot...).  Which means every time they wanted to go outside, you had to put their collars back on (all 686209682 times a day that they decide they want to see what's going on inside, but immediately want to go back outside).

And then there was the little issue of us living on a corner lot... which means that there is a sidewalk that runs the length of our back yard.  And then there is this completely unnecessary alley way behind our yard.  Neither of these seemed like a big deal... then it stopped being winter.  In the Spring, kids want to play outside, people want to walk their dogs, families go on walks, people run outside... all things that seem normal to a person but were SO EXCITING for Gus and SO TERRIFYING for Lucy.  The barking.  It was a frequent thing.  They don't bark a lot... but every time something new happened in the neighborhood, they would both alert the entire street that "There was a squirrel that ran up a tree 6 houses down!"  Because they are nice puppies and they just wanted to make sure nothing went unnoticed.  Neighborhood watch.  They are it.

This is an old picture, but now that it's 70 degrees, Lucy sits right next to him to help watch the neighbors.

The barking at things was not a huge issue, but it scared the people who walked by since they don't know that Lucy would NEVER approach them and that Gus is a big softie.  So once it was NOT snowing anymore, we got started on fence things... quoting different companies, writing up the HOA application, talking to 4619672879266 people about the HOA application, and scheduling things.  And then it all worked out that our fencing arrived early and they could install it... on Saturday.  While Aaron was in Georgia for the Masters.

So on Friday night I drove our furry children to Mom and Dad Ballews.  It seemed ideal to have them out of the way for this.  There is no way they would have cooperated with being inside all morning when there were things going on outside.  It would have been a nightmare.  

Saturday morning, I woke up early so that I could run to Redbox and get myself some entertainment.  And then I heard a truck... and at 7:05, they started installing our fence!  So much for Redbox...

They worked crazy fast.  I was impressed.  I also was only partially paying attention... I got sucked into watching Downton Abbey.  And it is fabulous!

8 episodes later (don't judge me), we had a fence!  It took them about 7 hours and they only asked me 4 questions!  They just came in and did their thing and took off (with the rest of the payment... priorities).  And it looks awesome!

I went down and got the pups, went to dinner with the in-laws, and came home to let the dogs out... without their collars!!!!

Lucy was hesitant... as always.  Gus ran out into the yard and ran in circles trying to figure out what was going on.  But all of that quickly ended because they were just so tired.  So we went to bed.  Sunday morning, and really most of the day, was spent like this...

Sun bathing and resting.  And not barking at every passerby!