Good Fences…
Do you need a fence? What is the purpose of the fence?
If you’re trying to keep kids and animals from wandering, “A” for effort, but good luck with that. As you know, animals and kids have minds of their own.
Cats will wander anywhere, any time of the day or night. Luckily, if you live in a residential area, the distance they wandered is probably relatively small. Most cats develop a routine. They will stop at various back doors, hoping for a handout or a nice petting. They might even have more than one name if the residents don’t know the cat belongs to you. If you let them out for the night, they are probably waiting for you to open the door in the morning. If they hunt, they’ve probably brought you a present or two. Think of it as them trying to feed and take care of you.
Dogs wander, too, but not usually as far or as long. Plus, cats can usually leap over the fence, but most dogs, tiny to medium size, might not be able to jump like that. Since dogs have to be licensed, they are usually easy to identify if they wander.
… Make Good Neighbors
Listen to them if a neighbor has asked you to put up a fence to keep your animals closer to home. They have a problem, and you are the first line of reasoning.
The problem might be as simple as your kids or cats disturbing a butterfly garden. But, it could be as severe as someone tripping over a hole that the dog made or an expensive plant the pup dug up. It could even be, you know, unsanitary urges on their new sod.
If there is a problem, solve it as soon and with as little friction as possible. It will make your life and your neighbors’ lives much easier and happier in the long run.
Kids will be kids…
Controlling kids, especially toddlers, is a full-time job for at least three people. The best we can do is make them as safe as possible and fix the booboos as they happen. Plenty of areas to play, outdoor toys for good weather, and lots of snacks and drinks are more likely to keep them close to home.
But some kids are definitely wanderers. It may be only a once or twice thing to see if they can do it. It may be the urge, a strong urge, to see what’s around the next corner or make friends along the street. By the age of two, they probably know which neighbor is likely to greet them with cookies, which one will yell, and which ones will fix booboos and wipe noses and call mom.
A sturdy, hopefully, unclimbable fence, maybe with motion-sensing cameras, is in your future if you have wandering kids.
Decisions, decisions
Alrighty! A fence is in your future! Let’s give a call to your lawn and landscape maintenance crew, Custom Acres. They will advise you and even get the fence up in good time.
First, they will probably want to know where you want your fence, how much of your property you want to fence, and whether you want decorative or all-out security fencing.
Fencing can be expensive, primarily since it’s usually sold either by the foot or yard or as pre-built sections. In addition, holes will need to be dug. Ask the dog for help.
Sometimes a surveyor has to establish where the exact property lines are. Surveys should have been done when you bought your house and property, but it may have to be done again.
Maybe what would work for you is a way to keep the kids in one secure area. You might be looking at only needing a backyard fence, with maybe a camera to monitor them.
Fencing the whole property will take longer, and the neighbors, both sides, back and all around, may want to get involved. In addition, your HOA might have its own ideas about what a fence should be in the community.
Secure the area!
Do your research if you’re considering putting up a fence because your house was robbed or damage was done to the house and gardens by other nefarious instigators. Check with local police to determine if other families have had similar problems and if security measures like fences made a difference.
Will any of your neighbors be sharing the expense? A fence will protect them, as well.
Are you planning security fencing, with remote-controlled locks, gates that need a coded device to open for your cars, electric wiring along the top to discourage climbers? Guards? Big dogs with the training to deal with invaders?
Maybe you’re just replacing a fence that got torn up by the last hurricane that wandered through. Or you just want that white picket fence that’s so attractive and nostalgic and makes you think of flowering vines and trick-or-treating. A squeaky gate just adds the perfect touch. Can that be added on, or does it have to occur naturally?
Whatever your choice, remember that people need regular access, sometimes daily. The mail must go through! And your lawn team, Custom Acres, is there at least once a week to mow, blow, and tidy up. Trick or Treaters, Scouts selling cookies and nuts for their fundraising campaign will also be making their appearances.
After the newness wears off
It will take you and your family a little while to get used to having a fence. They will forget keys and remotes regularly, at least at first. But, eventually, the newness will wear off, and everyone will settle in. The dogs will dig in their own gardens. The cats will jump the fence and go off on their nightly tours of the neighborhood. The kids will learn boundaries. Maybe.
Overall, it may make you feel secure at a time when that’s not a familiar feeling anymore. The world has changed, and maybe not always for the better. But, home is home—a safe place for your family and friends.
And, yes, even the cat and dog.