While my wife was kayaking with her sister on Puget Sound (near San Juan Island), she called me during one of her breaks and inquired about the fence. I told her about the dog not bothering me while I was out there and actually seeing a deer on our property.

She thought that was nice but...didn't we still want to put the fence up? In case the neighbors got lax and let their pooch out to roam once again?

Of course, I hesitated...I hoped I wouldn't have to install it after all. Or at least put it off a bit longer. Or maybe use the completed sections for a double-deer-proof fence around the garden.

Yesterday, my wife said, "Well, I wonder if we really need that fence?"

There's hope yet...