Last weekend, we made the most important home improvement we've made to date. We replaced our back door with one that has a dog door in it. Now, when we're home, there's no more constantly getting up to let Hannah in and out. There was a small training phase to get them used to it (especially at night, when we're all upstairs), but it's been fantastic. But the best part is this...
Now, if you're familiar with our dogs, you'll know that they have, in the past, had some serious separation anxiety issues. The first time we left Hannah alone (in our apartment) outside of her crate was the same day we signed for the new house. She proceeded to take all of the (signed) paperwork for the house off of the dining room table and shred it. Just so you know, it's a bit embarrassing to call the real estate agent to explain that the dog ate the closing papers. Since we've been in the house, the pair of them has slowly been tearing away at the hardiplank siding around the back of the house on the porch. It's not pretty.
So, the plan for the new dog door was for it to be used when we are home, but for the dogs to still be outside when we're out. But Tim decided to give the girls a trial run on Wednesday morning to see how they might be able to handle a little freedom. He left the dog door cover off so they could come in and out. And they have performed excellently. They have torn up only one thing--a kitchen mitt that had chicken grease on it that we clearly should not have left on the counter. There was evidence that Casey had been on the couch one afternoon as well, but she does that once in a while when we're home also. So for the last three days, they've been given the run of the house, and I think they've enjoyed it.
We will, however, have to define some restrictions for when it is rainy and wet outside...
