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A few weeks ago, my son's boxer puppy was hit and injured by a vehicle. After a frantic trip to the vet, one surgery, and an extended 'hospital' stay, the puppy -Buck- is still facing future complications. The injured leg has nerve damage and Buck constantly drags the leg on the ground causing wounds and abrasions. Another surgery is looming that will most likely result in an amputated limb. It appears that Buck had too much freedom. He started out in a puppy pen, but soon outgrew it. Even with expansions of the penned area, he whined and carried on extensively. He would just lie on the ground and guve us woeful puppy dog looks. Feeling badly about his caged existence, we began to allow him jaunts around the yard. The problem is that Buck, in his newfound freedom, grew careless. The end result is the described injury. Buck, despite our desire to give him plenty of space to run and play, still needed fences.

I've learned in my life that we all need fences. I've concluded that all fences aren't bad. I've discovered, throught experience, that what often keeps me within my boundaries keeps the potentially harmful on the opposite side of the fence. It is my opinion that as society, fences are essential. Adults need them. Children desire them, Teenagers require them. Someone must maintain them. Someone must ensure they remain. Someone must educate future generations about the importance of fences and how to build them. All fences aren't bad.

Decency is a fence we can't afford to tear down. For decency to be maintained, self-control must be active. There are certain actions and behaviors that are simply unacceptable and indecent. Once indulged in, the lines between right and wrong become blurred and what God deems sin becomes socially aprroved. Everybody pays the price in a society that has forgotten how to behave morally. People no longer care to be in control of their behaviors. It is apparent in language, entertainment, appearance, and every other aspect of living . Things are said, done, and accepted that should embarrass and appall us. Decency and moral values enhance our lives and restrict our choices in a positive way. God expects us to behave in a Godly, decent manner at all times. I will maintain the fence of decency for my family, my community, and myself.

Respect is another fence that enhances our lives. People who give respect, get respect. Respecting others requires that we monitor our attitude and purposefully navigate our footsteps. Respectful people maintain integrity when events and actions of others push to the limit of control. Adults who fail to possess respect open themselves up to continual contention, sissatisfaction and unhappiness. Adults who fail to teach children to be respectful are doing a grave disserice to their sons and daughters. People enjoy being around and interacting with those who recognize the boundaries of respectfully treating others.

There are a hundred other fences that must be maintained. The fences of kindness, courtesy, selfdenial... just to name a few. If you and I do not erect, repair, and maintain the necessary fences of our society, future generations will pay the price. What can seem restrictive can actually be essential. I contend that we all need fences and that every fence isn't necessarily bad. It takes self-discipline to observe the boundaries. It takes effort to teach children where the fences are and the important function fences serve. But, what contains often protects.

Without fences, we grow careless. Without fences, we don't always know where to begin and whre to stop. Without fences, the boundaries aren't always clear. Just ask Buck. If he could communicate, I feel certain he'd convey the importance of fences in his short lifetime. All fences aren't bad.