I was driving to work this morning watching careful drivers, yes careful because we just survived a winter storm, one that disappointed in snow production but left loads of water and ice. Drivers were still cutting people off but slower and waving while they did it. On the back of a Nissan was a bumper sticker that read my dog reads better then your child, get involved. It struck me as funny and reminded me of the day I first met my neighbor.
Gonzalez (name changed to protect privacy) was somewhat of a mystery. He lives on a large property with a home at the backside in the wood line, front half is a hay field and there is an electric gate to keep out visitors. It is rare to catch a glimpse of Gonzalez unless you time your mailbox visit just right.
My place is also on a private dirt road, and we have electric gates and RAMM horse fencing that has 1250 jewels running through it to keep unwanted visitors out.
On this afternoon I arrived home late from a long day at work and wasn’t in the best mood but was getting there and as I approached my gate, I noticed a man standing at the gate with a Rottweiler on a leash. Lord knows you never know what you will find in the country or what will turn up, so I had my what now face on as I got out of my truck to introduce myself and ask him what he needed.
He stood there staring at the Warning Electric Gate May Shock sign for a few minutes before he said “Hi, I am Gonzalez and this is my dog, Milo. We exchanged pleasantries and then he let go.
Apparently, Milo had escaped the compound and had found a hole in the wire fencing large enough for his big old booty to weasel through and Milo had gone exploring. He had made a poor decision thinking that my Appaloosa and Arabian looked like good people to hang with. Neither Buck nor Zion was impressed with his ability to wiggle under the horse fencing while screaming but Milo did it and had a good run in my pasture, being chased by two mad horses gave him quite the workout so Milo did the wiggle scream while leaving my pasture after a short while.
The conversation with Gonzalez went kind of like this:
I’m your neighbor. I replied nice to finally meet you!
This is Milo Hi Milo. Are you two out for a walk?
No, Milo found a hole and got out.
Ah, okay.
You have horses I do.
Milo screamed each time he went into your field.
Oh, I am sorry about that. We have electric horse fencing to keep the horses in and safe from unwanted visitors.
It is electric and shocks you if you touch it.
That’s right!
Maybe you should think about that, it isn’t nice to shock people
Well, we did put up signs to warn people not to touch the fence or gate, see here is one right in front of you.
Well, Milo didn’t see it, it is up kind of high.
Does Milo get out often?
Sometimes, he likes to chase turkeys, horses, deer, and other animals, it’s his thing
Well, my horses don’t like to be chased, neither does my dog so this is why we have the hot fence. Maybe you should fix the hole in your fence.
Maybe you should put up a better sign, lower down that is easier to read.
Maybe you should teach Milo to read and look up.
It isn’t nice to shock people. That’s when he reaches out and touches the darn fence and Milo yelps because the current has traveled through Gonzalez and down the chain leash to Milo’s chain collar.
See, it hurts.
Don’t touch it.
Give it a try.
Nope, I am familiar, and I read my sign.
At this point, I am working hard not to giggle each time I answer him, and I can’t help but wonder if he is serious or just out to make a point.
Well, Milo and I are not happy with your fence.
I am happy with my fence; it is working exactly as planned.
Come on Milo let’s go home.
He stops and stares at the sign and points at each word as he reads it to his dog who is busy pulling towards my horse for a better look and panting because he wants to get going.
Hopefully next time the fence won’t shock him.
Hopefully next time he remembers the fence shocks and won’t go into my pasture.
Nah, Milo can’t read, he just likes to have fun.
Well, Teach Milo to read.
Come on Milo, I guess we better teach you to read.
Milo came back a few times and each time Milo was bitten by my fence and once kicked by an angry horse. But Gonzalez never came back to get him, he wiggled in and out of that hole until we wired it closed.
What made the entire thing so funny was Gonzalez’s expressions and the serious intense look he had each time he defended his dog. He must have touched that fence at least 4 times during the conversation, I think he liked it. 😊
Comments