Love’em & Leave’em Pet Care

Tails From a Pet Sitter

The Doggie Door
by Maggie Hall

Oh the critters some pets drag in the doggie door! Cats do it, dogs do it. I’ve walked into formal living rooms to see feathers scattered about and a very satisfied cat purring. I’ve found organic leftovers after kitty’s midnight mousie snack. Dogs seem to prefer dragging squirrels inside or trying to drag Mom’s prize winning rose bush inside. Some pets opt for hauling stuff outside, such as sofa cushions, throw pillows, food bowls, books, magazines, shoes, socks or even the mail.

There are also critters that invite themselves in looking for food or warmth or just sightseeing. Raccoons, squirrels, opossums and stray cats will fit through many pet doors. Some pet sitters can also squeeze through larger doggie doors, but that’s another topic, lockouts, when you’re tempted to change your company name to "I’m Only Human Pet Sitting".

The worst headache I ran into with a doggie door involved two little Bichon Frises, a pair of white powderpuff fluffballs. The perfectly groomed Bichons had gone out after a downpour and taken mudbaths. No more wetpawaphobia for them! By the time I arrived for their visit, the off-white carpet and silk upholstered furniture were covered with trails of muddy pawprints. It was like a scene out of a Hitchcock horror movie. It was one of those times when I wanted to close the door and string up "Crime Scene Do Not Cross" tape across the front door and leave the scene of the crime.

Here’s a few common sense suggestions to make life with a doggie door less exciting. Rain or shine, spread a blanket or towels around the doggie door to catch muddy pawprints, leaves and debris tracked in from the yard. If uninvited creatures are finding their way in, switch to a locking pet door that requires a collar magnet to permit access. Do not install a doggie door and immediately leave on a two week vacation. Allow at least a few days to monitor pet behavior. Does Sparky go out and bay at the moon every night at midnight? Is he creating a nuisance with constant barking? It may be necessary to shut the pet door overnight.

[Home] [Application] [Boarding] [1st Time?] [Pet Types] [About Us] [Zips] [1st Aid & CPR] [Pet Gallery] [Sitter Tails] [Testimonials] [Dog Beds] [Links]

Love’em and Leave’em
Copyright © 2004 - 2006 [Maggie Hall]. All rights reserved.