Well, we have been in the new house for 15 months, and finally got the back
"yard" completely fenced. The dogs now have over 1/2 acre to run and play
in. It took four days for us two old farts to get it done.
The original plan called for fencing the entire place in "cattle panels"
those wire panels that are 16' long by 52" high. We like the look of these,
and the ease with which they go up. However, the contours of the land,
forbid this kind of fence.....to do the hills and swales, the fence would
look pretty bad.
For the meanwhile, we have used every scrap of fence we had.... 64' is in
cattle panels (it looks ok, but does not follow the ground very well)
another 60 some feet is in 4 foot high field fence, 60 some other feet are
in 3 foot garden fence (yeah, that looks like hell ) and 40 some feet in 2
foot high field fence (no, the dogs do not jump over any fence
barrier.......it is plenty high) and another 40 feet in 4 foot chain link.
The chain link is the only stretch that looks really nice. No, we did not
put it up with the chain link poles you are supposed to use.....we used 4x4
wooden corner posts, with metal T posts on the line. We got a real tight
stretch on it, and it hangs good, and looks good.
The consensus is, that no matter how bad we both hate the look of chain
link, it is the only thing that is going to work with, and follow the
contours of the land. Four feet high is all we need......I absolutely will
not go with anything taller......remember I hate the look of the stuff
anyway.
Meanwhile, the dogs are nuts over the newfound freedom. Of course the
"rules" are changed.......instead of ignoring the goings-on across the creek
('cuz they are not any of our business) we now run to the fence and hurl
insults at the pitbull who lives over there......he completely ignores them.
Astra and Vanna run endlessly like spring foals, their tongues hanging clear
to their back legs. Eli went around and peed on all the pine trees, corner
posts, woodpiles and young elms. Eleven yr old Ondra ate grass, so she can
puke it up on the carpet later this evening. Rosie kept "bandit"
patrol.....(we're not sure what that is, but she does it......)
Time to feed dogs, and get dinner ready. One project done, only have about
50 left to do.......
Judy Arneson-Johnson
Kielerstar BMD
Endicott, WA
