The Fence Post

On a Whim and a Wish and a Chase

Scotland is magnificent, with lochs and mountains, Highland cattle, heather, castles, kilts, and bagpipes. I fell in love with the country in 2000 while Duncan and I traveled up the East Coast and down the West Coast on our three-week honeymoon. It was double love for me.

The Charm of Scotland

The Scottish people are delightful, and we were welcomed and urged to stay longer at all the bed and breakfast inns where we stayed. We often stayed in farm cottages with several children, and the children, too, took delight in our company. I didn’t always understand the Scots brogue, but Duncan seemed to always understand. I think it’s because he was an avid reader of George MacDonald, a Scottish writer from the 1800s.

A Delightful Stay in Cullen

Cullen was our next stop. It’s a quaint village on the North Sea coast. We spent a delightful night and breakfast at a small bed and breakfast there. Breakfast was in the conservatory overlooking the harbor. With that setting, we ate buttery scones and a quart of the most delicious homemade raspberry jam (I’m still ashamed of my way-too-big American appetite).

After breakfast, we ventured into the village to look at the shops and buy our picnic lunch, which always seemed to consist of bread, marvelous cheeses, and a bottle of wine. Then, we began our daily habit of exploring backroads. Duncan was never afraid to try a road, even if it meant traveling over cattle passes.

Chasing a Dream

Now, Duncan was fond of Single-Malt whiskey, MacCallan being his favorite. We turned the corner of these picturesque roads with stone walls on one side and hillside on the other when Duncan spotted a small van with the Macallan Distillery marked on the side. Before I knew it, we were turned around and following the van. Surely, he said, it will lead us to the Macallan Estate! And lead us it did, right onto the estate.

Once in the reception area, we learned they had finished their last tour of the day. Then, a couple from France walked in, and on a whim, they said, “Okay, let’s give you a tour!”

The tour fascinated all of us. The tour guide/Master drew wee drams of whiskey from oak barrels (these oak barrels once housed sherry) and then asked us to nose and identify as many aromas as possible. I remember naming six, which was a challenging feat. But the Master, if my memory serves me correctly, identified over 60; no, I think it was over 90. We ended our tour with Duncan purchasing an extraordinary vintage bottle.

Afterward, we picked out a lovely spot under a large shade tree and had our picnic lunch. I still remember the double cream brie—it was heaven.

Take a look at your fencing options at Louis Page. We’re the experts and will deliver the goods!

Warm regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (True! That’s 131 years owned and run by our family)

Let's Keep the Cats Safe

Today, a customer emailed us photos of how she provided a haven for her cats. And it’s a haven that allows her to enjoy the cats simultaneously. What did she do?

A Safe Haven for Cats

She “fenced” in her open porch but not with screening. Screening doesn’t work for cats, as they are notorious for climbing it and shredding it. No, she used a galvanized 14 gauge 1x2-inch opening wire mesh. It works. The cats can’t get through the openings; if they climb it, it won’t destroy it. Now, she can sit on her porch and enjoy the view and her cats. That’s something I would love to do.

Memories of Uno

I'm without cats right now, but they’ll be back to live at my house one day. My last cat, Uno (so named by my daughter because she only had one toe on one of her paws), was a Maine Coon Cat. We loved her. She was super affectionate, and I taught her to roll over. Nobody believed me until I proved it to them. I had to use a silly, high-pitched voice and make a rollover motion with my hand, but it worked. She would roll over and sometimes twice.

The Joy of Animal Companions

Animals are such great companions! Just Saturday, as I was having coffee with some friends, Ramona remarked, “Dogs are a woman’s best friend.” I would say the same about cats and horses. And that speaks for men as well. Humans have been keeping pets for a long time.

Your Summer 2024 Projects

What projects do you want to complete by the end of Summer 2024? Something for animals? A catio? Horses? At Louis E. Page, we can supply you with excellent solutions.

Call Terry today! (T2C)

All my best regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (So 131 years ago our family ancestor Louis E. founded the company)

"No Excuses..."

Satisfied customers: I love them. We have a super high rate of satisfied customers, though only some take the time to rate us. This one customer did. Here’s his review:

A Customer's Experience

“I had originally ordered 14 GA 1x1 from a company in Texas that claimed to make ‘quality cages’ for rabbits. After 47 days of multiple excuses, my credit card company agreed to a chargeback, and I immediately came to Louis Page for the same item. It arrived in 6 days and was perfect. There were no excuses, just performance. I should have come to Louis Page first.”

Our Commitment to You

Thank you for your excellent review. Yes! Come to Louis Page first!

Celebrate Your Dog

How do you like to celebrate your dog? And how does your property enhance your celebrations? Are you spending time with your dog outside in your own front or backyard? Does your fence give you a sense of calmness and security?

Phoebe Louise: A Joy to Watch

I love watching my little 18-lb black poodle, Phoebe Louise, run around my property. The fence gives her boundaries and a sense of security, and I get the pleasure of watching her run around and leap like a lamb. She loves the snow and doesn't hold back from expending her energy bounding over snow drifts and stones. She's a marvel to watch.

Recently, friends kept her for two weeks for the first time. They fell in love with her. When I arrived to pick her up, they were like doting grandparents throwing out compliment after compliment: “She's so smart. She's the fastest dog we've ever seen. She never bothered us when we slept in. She came when we called (hmm…that's good, but not always my experience with her!). She loved sleeping on our lap during evening television, etc.”

I'm still glowing from the review. (Insert smiles and pride.)

A Worry-Free Environment

Having a fenced backyard makes for a worry-free environment, and Jerry created a wonderful strip for her to run and leap on.

I bet it's time to fence in your yard and give your dog its protected paradise!

Big dog? No problem! Small dog? No problem! Jumping dog (remember Pugsy?)?

Terry has you covered. Call her at 978-486-3116 to receive your free quote.

Enjoy your backyard with your pup, knowing it is safe and sound within your boundaries.

Louis Page for Dogs!

Kind Regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (It adds up to over 131 years owned and run by our family. Think about it: Nobody stays around in business that long without really supporting customers so they want to come back!)

A Dog, a Whistle, and a Fold

Do you have a dog? What’s your favorite thing about having a dog? The breed, the companionship, the faithfulness? So many things endear us to our beloved dogs. Whether you have one or many, dogs are fabulous to have around.

The Magic of Working Dogs

Working dogs are a breed of their own, and if you’ve ever had the privilege of watching one work, you will be amazed at what they can do. We arrived at an ancient sheep farm to spend a few days in the English countryside. It was May, and everywhere we looked, it screamed out Spring!

We spent the day sightseeing in the area, and in the late afternoon, the farmer asked if we wanted to go with him to the back pasture to herd the sheep. We jumped into the blue Volvo Sedan along with the border collie and headed over stones and stumps faster than I would have dared to go. I bounced up and down in the back seat with the dog, who was not in the least phased by it.

Herding in Action

Once at our destination, the farmer dispatched the dog to gather the scattered herd and guided them towards the farmer standing at the entrance to the stone wall fold. The dog crouched and ran, crouched again, and ran to the left and right, all the while following the whistles and commands of his master.

Once the sheep were rounded up to the master, they began pushing and shoving their way into the fold for the night. The dog was brilliant at herding them. There were about a hundred sheep, and the farmer announced one was missing.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“I counted them,” he said.

I was utterly amazed. The farmer, the master, counted them, but they were squeezing and pushing, and I saw a blur of creamy bleating wool in my eyes!

The farmer left the sheep in the fold, looking for his lost sheep. We didn’t walk too far before he heard the bleating. The little lamb had slipped down a steep embankment about six feet below us. He climbed down, put him around his neck, and brought him safely to the fold. It was a sight I will never forget. The shepherd rescues and tenderly cares for his lost sheep.

A Dream of Sheep and Dogs

Since then, I’ve dreamed of having my sheep and border collies. I’m determined to make this happen. My area has several sheep farms, and I’ve had the privilege of watching collies herd and gather, drive, flank, and hold the sheep. I don’t think I would ever tire of watching this.

My little black poodle, Phoebe, though I adore her, will need to give room to the new puppies someday. She’s smart and the fastest dog I’ve ever seen, but she doesn’t have the instincts of a herding dog.

I want the dogs, and I’ll need a handler for them as well. Best find the farm first, build the fence, and then get the dogs and the sheep. I’ll be putting up a sheep and goat fence. It’s the perfect permanent fence for sheep. We sell a top-quality, Made in USA product. Check out our Sheep and Goat Fence.

Warm regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (It adds up to 131 years owned and run by our family. Think about it: Nobody stays around in business that long without really supporting customers so they want to come back!)