Continuing fence saga......

Alrighty. After spending 90 minutes with my Vampire of the magic hands, I put my big girl pants on (I don't mean to imply they were OFF, it's just a figure of speech!) and went to the condo complex to see the saleslady who was supposed to send me the email regarding the fencing.

She immediately told me that her internet provider was down. This is highly possible due to the winds we have had lately. I have heard other people make the same complaint - some said their cell phones were down, too. I was a bit speechless, and just looked at her. It was about 3 pm and I had until 5 pm to make my final decision.

She smiled at me and asked me if I wanted more time. I mumbled, "Uh huh," and she immediately gave me another week, and a copy of the form we signed for it. I was quite relieved. We then had a talk about the "temporary fence." My legal beagle had told me that they were probably bending over backward trying to accommodate me, and I felt that they had dealt with this before and had used this compromise already. So I asked her if anyone else in the complex had a temporary fence so I could see it. She said no, no one has one. Legal beagle will get to take that one out in trade.

The saleslady then gave me the name of a website to try, and told me to continue looking until I find something that will work. I thanked her, and looked around the models again. I had taken a quick walk through my condo first, and they have done some work on it. It has a "sold" sign in the window. I did not have my camera with me, but I will probably go back over the weekend. I noticed that the light switches for the walk in closets are inside the closets in the models, and I think I would prefer them outside, so I might ask for that change.

These builders are very good about changes. Other ones I have been to said NO to almost every change I had asked for. One of my first requests is always to lower the kitchen cupboards, and this builder said no problem at all. I asked for drawers in the bathroom vanities - no problem. I asked about lighting changes, no problem. I asked for a gated railing in front of the open basement stairs so I don't take a header - no problem. I want a bigger patio - no problem. They allow two pets at move in, to be reduced to one once one dies. I accidentally mentioned Wiz the old screaming cat, and no one made an issue of the fact that I have three pets.

Then I went and talked to the other lady, who handles things like which granite top and what color of ceramic tiles, and we talked fences. She said that she was surprised that the builders would allow even a temporary fence. I have been told I will get a statement in writing regarding the fence and the two dogs. This second lady said she is pretty sure I could get approval for an invisible fence. I was shocked (OK, pun intended). She said she has one, and her lab is fine, but she watched her brother's dog who is just part beagle and that dog jumped the line and a neighbor's line also on a regular basis. I am just not sure my dogs would do well with an invisible fence.

They are used to a barrier, and these dogs are not puppies. I can't believe a small shock would stop them from going after a woodchuck or deer if one showed up close by. The nature preserve and pond are just steps away. Beagles are scent hounds. They can't even hear me when they are on a scent - I can't imagine a small shock would even slow them down. Beagles are bred for endurance and will take the fastest route for hours after a scent - over things, under things, through water, whatever gets in their path, they prevail.

"Temporary fence." I need the legal definition of this. An invisible fence is not temporary, is it?

I noticed quite a few patios are raised in this complex. Raised about 12 inches. Some more than that. I cannot imagine having a few drinks, sitting outside on an unstable patio chair and being close to a drop like that. I picture lawsuits in the making. I am hoping that once the builders are done and gone that the board that is set up will change the by-laws and allow patio enclosures. It makes sense to me. Then again, I have never dealt with condo rules. I know I can't even paint the front door another color.