Boundries

So, here's our latest dilemma.

As you know, we've had a previous problem with our dogs pooping in the neighbors yard. Yes, we don't get out there after every poop and clean it up. It's too difficult. Between juggling Emily, Chris being out of town and our harsh weather, it becomes nearly impossible to pick up every landmine after it hits the ground. BUT...in our defense...on just about every non-rainy or snowy day we're out there scooping up the poop. Our neighbors have mentioned to us once that their son stepped in dog poop while outside. Of the 8-10 other kids running around our backyard, NONE of those other kids have EVER stepped in any poop. Also, in our defense, there are about 7 dogs within our immediate greenbelt backyard area; all of which poop freely outside. Whose to say that the neighbor's poop is our dogs' poop??

Anyway, here's the deal.

Our neighbors called Housing and tattletold on us that are dogs were pooping in their yard. Chris spoke with the Housing Lady about our troubles with picking up after them every time, and explained that the poop in their yard is not overwhelming (maybe 1-2 piles). Anyway, what it comes down to is we've got to build a fence or move out of housing.

To build a fence will cost us in the neighborhood of $500 to $1,000. It will need to be a fence of good construction because the Housing Inspector will come by to inspect our work...so, we can't do it half-ass. And, the fence would only be in place for one year because Housing is planning to add a backyard fences to every one's yard in 2010. I don't know if I want to "waste" $1,000 on a fence that will be useless in a year.

Another catch is that we'd also have to also modify our patio with steps to allow us to access into the backyard, which we don't currently have. Our patio, as it is, is completely enclosed. We'd have to cut an opening off the patio and install steps out to the grass. This also would be scrutinized when they came to do the inspection. I think these modifications would also increase our budget. And...not to mention the time invested in building a fence; we'd be doing all the work ourselves. With Emily keeping us busy we're already strapped for time.

ALL of our friends here think we're crazy for even being in Housing and putting up with all of this. EVERYONE is encouraging us to buy something. We do have three more years here...so, why not buy? Because new Coasties are coming to the Island every summer, we shouldn't have trouble selling when the time comes. And, you can easily buy a good and decent house for less then $300,000.

So, now the question becomes...Do we build a fence -or - invest in a home?

(Here's a pic of our mean neighbor's patio. They're ALWAYS outside smoking)