We live in a CYV walled on all sides but the front. We have two dogs, a 40-lb beagle/hound dog mix and a 50-lb American Eskimo mix. I have no problem letting them wander in and out, but I would not sequester myself in a room away from ear shot, and we're very careful about their being out there after dark. After dark the lanai doors are open and we are in the living room. They really don't want to stay out there very long after dark, and I wouldn't let them be out there all evening. We've had a bobcat and one cat run along the wall in the evening, but nothing beside a garter snake has ever invaded the courtyard.
Living on a preserve or golf course with a decorative fence would be a non starter for me.
BTW, we live about ten minutes from the Wildwood dog park on Huey St, which is mostly shade from a dozen live oaks. It's full of squirrels for the beagle to "hunt," and she has taught the other dog to chase them. I would never move, because that's their favorite place to be. A lot of the dog parks in TV have little to no shade and very little seating. Just an FYI.
__________________
It's harder to hate close up.
|