Gated

Sorry doggie... no more roaming in the hallway and bedrooms.

We had initially set up a baby/puppy gate when we first got Mace. You know the type - pressure fit, adjustable, just the right height to snag your toes as you step over... it worked for a while. Then one day, while carrying a load of laundry, my foot caught, I tripped, my other foot stepped forward to catch myself and that was the end of the gate. It was a mangled mess, and the adjustable fit latch was snapped in two.

Plan B was enacted. Thinking that Mace understood that he was not welcome down the hallway and in the bedrooms, I devised a plan to use spring rods with an existing valance curtain to keep him out. This worked for about two weeks, then one day he realized that he can pick up the bottom rod with his nose, and limbo under then rod ... and voila, he was in.

After a lot of redirection of the dog, BJ and I discussed plans for a gate - a real gate, one with hinges, that opens and closes when we need to get through, that can stay open at night when the dog is in his crate, that looks nice and isn't a prefab, industrial, typical baby/dog gate.

On to Plan C - BJ headed to get materials and began constructing. It's not exactly the design I had in mind, but it's functional, attractive and easy to use. It swings and rests flat against the wall when opened, the latch is easy to operate, it's rugged yet lightweight ... it's perfect.

Mace is still a bit hurt by our "no admittance" policy, and makes it a point to whine and complain each time we come and go. I've even caught him sitting in front of it, looking it all over, as if attempting to find the loop hole in which to gain entry.

In time, he'll understand his boundaries and perhaps one day the gate will be unnecessary and will come down. But for now, for our sanity, it's a welcome addition to our home.