Except that Ruby's continuing burrowing under our fence is dangerous for her and worrying for us. Outside our property are baits, roads that are occasionally busy and farmers concerned about their livestock. So, keeping Ruby in our yard remains a problem.
The other two dogs do not wander, even if we accidentally leave the gate open. Ruby takes any opportunity she can to bolt for the great outdoors. We have been unimpressed with the electric fence and the associated collar that we bought for $500 earlier in the year. The zapping seemed to have no effect on the Beagle's psyche. We were just about resigned to the fact that one day Ruby would leave our yard and not come back.
Then, idly, yesterday, Michael was playing with Ruby's collar and decided to tighten it. The effect was immediate and electric, literally. Upon reconnection with her neck, Ruby approached the front fence. And almost immediately backed away, startled. We were dumbfounded. Had a simple tightening of Ruby's collar been the key to zapping her into submission?
So far, so good. The Beagle appears to be confined to barracks. As I'm writing this, I can see Ruby outside on her rounds in the backyard. She is nowhere near her usual route. She usually patrols the fence line thoroughly, looking for her next opportunity of gaining liberty. The collar, finally, is thwarting her efforts.
We are hoping, that after six months and a simple adjustment of her collar, we have the Beagle's measure. Oh, happy day!
Stay tuned!
For those of you who don't know her, this is Ruby.
Her hobbies include worshipping at the altar of the stove....
annoying the cat...
melting onto the floorboards...
and plotting her next adventure.
When she has exhausted her brain with too much thinking, she then retires to the top bunk.
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