On Thursday I mentioned that we were in the process of getting a new door put in. The rain had slowed things down, and I was impatient to no longer have to take the dogs out to their pen on leashes. Later that day we finally got our door!
There was only one glitch here. That door is about 2 1/2 feet off the ground – too high for anyone to be going in or out safely (not that Luke wouldn’t try it – and be able to do it most likely!). The contractors had poured the cement for three posts for the new deck that will be outside the door, but they would need the weekend for it to dry before they are ready to build on.
I was hoping there was still some way….and Friday after work the Dadz used some Yankee ingenuity to find a way we could use it for the weekend! While I took Samantha to the vet (which went well), by the time I got back home we had this, and the dogs were all outside.
However, hubby told me that Luke wouldn’t use his improvised ramp. My answer was “Pfftttt…give me a handful of treats and I’ll have him using it in no time!” Luke almost made a liar out of me, because he balked at first, and even treats wouldn’t lure him down. I used my own ingenuity and got a leash. That was all it took. The leash made him secure enough to give it a try and that was all it took.
Sheba also had some hesitation coming in at times. Her blonde brain couldn’t figure out that she needed to go up the center of the ramp, not up from the side. On the other hand, I think she was just messing with us in the hopes that if she stayed outside we’d decide to come out and play ball! Dadz coaxed her in once or twice, showing her the way and then we’d just leave her. When she decided she wanted to come in, she could figure it out.
Not only does this mean that we don’t have to take them out on the leashes to get to the pen, but I feel so much better that I can now easily watch them when they’re outside. There are no other windows on that side of the house, so I would have to go outside to check on them, which I do often. They would always be right at the gate wanting to come in.
But now that they can see in too, Sheba especially seems happy to just be spending time out there. I have a feeling she’d come to the gate when I went outside, but she really didn’t want to come in. She loves to just lie outside in the fresh air and sunshine (not that we’ve had much sunshine lately!).
It actually took two of us to get the dogs out in the morning before. It was quite a process and it took us some time to come up with the best way to do it (Cricket can be wild in the morning – long story – and there had been a porcupine around as well so we needed to be very careful getting them out there); and yesterday morning, on Mother’s Day, I got to sleep in for the first time since we’ve moved!
I love good old Yankee I. My sister’s house has a ramp that goes to a pen and my dogs WILL NOT use it. I think it’s partly because the rug on it could use a good cleaning and truthfully, so could that pen. 😉 But she lives on 11 acres so I will just take the dogs out the other way and make Hubby do it when it’s dark. hehe
Good job Dadz!!! By now the deck should be finished. Looking forward to the pictures! So glad things are “shaping up” the way you want! The new door is really nice!!
Yay for all, everyone much happier!-and that you got to sleep in on Mom’s Day, double hooray! Awesome job the Dadz did in coming up with that, he rocks! 🙂
Love how it came out. It is going to be really nice when it is finished.
Happy you could all get outside and have a fun time!!
Yay for sleeping in! I’m sure the dogs are glad about the new addition!
That is quite a ways down!
I love that they use your ramp! What a fabulous door for taking inside pics too! Congratulations, it is all coming together! ♥
Great “temporary solution” Dadz should be commended for this one. You should enjoy all that natural light coming in the house too! Happy to hear things are coming along in the new residence.
The door looks great, but you will need to get that deck done off of it soon. At least there is a temporary fix!
The deck got started today, platform is done, and should be finished (rail and stairs) tomorrow! AND they’ll hopefully be starting on the fenced yard this week too – paws crossed! 🙂
We love those French doors. It looks like the ramp is working
Lily & Edward
So there wasn’t even a window there to begin with? You are doing a lot on construction on you “new” house! I wouldn’t even blink an eye to go down that ramp to get outside, glad you Yankees figured something out! Love Dolly
There was a half moon window in the peak of the house, but that was it. It looks into the prettiest part of the yard where there are apple trees, so we had to have a window or door there! As it turns out, that half moon window was leaking and there was rot underneath….so it’s probably a good thing it got torn apart when it did!
Cricket is our only brave dog around here, like you, she didn’t blink an eye about it all!
That’s all great. Easier for you, better for them. A win all around.
The door looks great and that is a very good way to get the dogs in and out. 🙂
It looks like everybody is happy with this new addition! So happy that life’s getting more normal for all of you 🙂
YAY! Once the new deck is in it will be just perfect – the dogs will be totally comfortable and so will you! Then it will be on to the next project……………how lovely you got to have a “lie in” for Mother’s Day – perfect.
Hugs, Pam and Sam