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Allison Larkin

Internationally Best-Selling Author

You are here: Home / dogs / Good fences really do make good neighbors!

Good fences really do make good neighbors!

April 28, 2009 Filed Under: dogs, fences, neighbors

So, the fence is up, and I have to say, it has done wonders in quelling my neighbor-related angst. It’s also made having two German Shepherds so much easier (except when they are outside and it starts raining, and we don’t realize it, and they decide to mud wrestle in the garden and then run through the house).

Argo has pretty much said, “Hey, it was nice knowing you, but I have a yard. . .” That dog can spend all day lying in the shade sniffing the breeze. He is blissfully happy.

Stella, on the other hand, was more excited about all the attention she gets when Argo is outside. If she did go outside, she had to come in to check on me every five minutes. We’ve just been leaving the door open so they can come and go as they please. Then J shut the door and left them outside for about ten minutes the other day, (because they were muddy AGAIN and he was trying to keep them from tracking it through the house AGAIN). Stella was traumatized and has now decided she’d rather just stay indoors, preferably with some part of her touching some part of me at all times. She likes to lie on my feet, or sleep with her head on my lap, or walk so close to me that I trip over her. We’re working on it. I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t flattering to be needed so much, especially since my other furry confidant has chosen the yard over me, but I know it’s not healthy behavior, and I so desperately want Stella to be a happy, healthy dog. It breaks my heart that she spends so much time in a state of fear.

I am so thrilled that my view of The Crap Garden has been narrowed. Although, I suspect Mrs. Gnome has been moving her crap up higher into the trees. In defiance? For my benefit? Just because? Who knows! From the kitchen window, I can see several windsocks, a fake owl, and a gaggle of wind chimes over the top of the fence, but, not having to look at the fake deer, assorted mop handles, and all those bowling balls certainly does wonders for my mood.

The weather has been all over the place lately, but Friday was as perfect a day as anyone could ask for. I spent much of it outside working in my new office. And it was lovely.

9 Comments

Comments

  1. Dingo says

    April 29, 2009 at 8:11 am

    They look so happy running around out there! And I love that red desk. I think I would be more productive if I had a red desk.

    Reply
  2. equa yona(Big Bear) says

    April 29, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    Big Yard! Your office is tres cool!
    Maybe the arboreal crap garden has been inspired by your fence? Unintended consequences? Nice to hear you so happy.

    Reply
  3. 3carnations says

    April 29, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Our fence has increased the enjoyment of our yard so much!

    Is that a wooden table in your yard?

    Reply
  4. Allie says

    April 29, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Yes, it’s a wooden kitchen table we bought from a yard sale years ago. I painted it with outdoor paint.

    Reply
  5. nancypearlwannabe says

    April 29, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    Can’t you train the dogs to retrieve the annoying wind chimes and bury them while your neighbor is out?

    Reply
  6. courtney says

    April 29, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    Nice office! I wish I could work outside on nice days.

    I hope Stella gets better, but I think it’s sweet that she wants to be near you all the time. :)

    Reply
  7. A Free Man says

    April 30, 2009 at 1:15 am

    Love your home office. I’m woring at home today and was just thinking that I need a redecoration. Maybe I should just go out on the balcony.

    Reply
  8. The Modern Gal says

    May 11, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    ohhh, I never thought about the crap scaling the trees and roof and such, but it makes total sense.

    Love your outdoor workspace! And good to see at least one of the dogs enjoying it too.

    Reply
  9. Condo Blues says

    May 22, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    I understand your feelings about Stella needing to be near you. My rescue dog has separation anxiety issues too. Sometimes I’m torn too about leaving him by himself because that’s best for him and taking him with me because it’s more fun for me.

    Reply

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One of the people I keep, my dear friend @bakirkwo One of the people I keep, my dear friend @bakirkwood — who I’ve known since my freshman year at Ithaca — who read several drafts of my book about April over the years and kept telling me how much she believed in me — printed out the coloring sheets and made some art with her daughter Abby! (Brenda said they didn’t need to be included in the giveaway, but wanted to share). It made me so happy to see their covers! I’d love to see yours too! And if you tag me when you post or email me photos of what you create with the cover design (info at allielarkinwrites dot com) I’ll enter you in the giveaway for a signed paperback of The People We Keep, a book mug from @erinkillianpottery & some coffee from @caffe.appassionato! Link to download the coloring sheet is in my bio. Thank you so much, Abby & Brenda! Love you! ❤️
Lying on the floor, I come undone #weezerlyrics #d Lying on the floor, I come undone #weezerlyrics #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix
I had the most amazing time celebrating the paperb I had the most amazing time celebrating the paperback release of The People We Keep at @townecenterbks in Pleasanton last night! I’m so thankful for everyone who came out and especially for Judy, Stacy, and Mala for creating such a beautiful outdoor space for our chat and snack! And to @carriemedders for the pictures (goodness, it was good to see you, Carrie!)! We all had such a fun and heartwarming conversation about the book and writing and creativity. I am so appreciative of the chance to connect with kind, thoughtful readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! #thepeoplewekeep #townecenterbooks #bookstagram #authorevents
✨Paperback Day Giveaway✨ Gallery Books created ✨Paperback Day Giveaway✨ Gallery Books created a beautiful downloadable coloring page of the cover of The People We Keep! (Thank you so much, Bianca!) and I’m hosting a giveaway! I have a copy of the paperback of The People We Keep, a gorgeous book mug handmade by @erinkillianpottery, and some of my favorite coffee from @cafe_appassionato to send to one lucky reader! Download the printable coloring page (link in bio) and get creative! Color the page in your favorite colors, use it to tell us about the people you keep, or share something about how you’re feeling right now. Tag me in an Instagram post or Reel with your creation (make sure to tag me not just @ me or I might not see it!). I’ll share some of your art and on Tuesday, July 19th, I’ll pick the winner! Unfortunately, I can only ship this prize within the US, but I can share coloring pages from anywhere in the world! Happy coloring! #thepeoplewekeep #coloringtherapy #bookstagram #gallerybooks #paperbackgiveaway #bookgiveaways #coffeegiveaway #erinkillianpottery #bookclubofinstagram #bookcommunity #bookcoverdesign
Friends! It is paperback release day for The Peopl Friends! It is paperback release day for The People We Keep! I do love a paperback, and @gallerybooks did an amazing job making this one beautiful. There’s also a wonderful reading group guide in the back to give you questions and discussion topics for your book club. To celebrate the book release, I have an outdoor event with @townecenterbks in Pleasanton, CA this evening (join us!) and I’ll be posting again a little later today with a giveaway and an art project! 💖#bookstagram #thepeoplewekeep #paperbacks #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix #reading
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