Dog Doors and Beasties

We live in the country and our yard is completely fenced in for the safety of our dogs. This allows them to roam free on our property without getting into the road. Our Labrador is an inside dog and runs us nuts wanting to go in and out and our shepherds are brought in nightly, so for the convenience for all, we installed a dog door.

Since its installation, our household has been "visited" by additional animals such as; a snake, a rabbit, a stray kitten and multiple, yes multiple, birds. Apparently, the fence is only good for keeping things in, not out and all animals love the convenience of a dog door.

Fortunately, the snake never made it past the back porch, (the room in which it entered into from outside). Our cat was very persistent in letting us know something was amiss back there. She stood watch, ready to pounce at the first indication of movement. Her actions prompted me to seek out what had her so captivated.

Needless to say, I will never again move the dog kennels, as that is where the snake was coiled up. When I lifted the kennel up, there, slumbering peacefully was a 12' long boa constrictor! Well, that is what my petrified eyes saw, in reality; it was maybe 6" long, if that. However, that did not stop me from dropping the kennel and running through our house screaming like someone was chasing me with a chainsaw!

Having run screaming and straight to my hubby, it took him every bit of five minutes to calm me down enough to explain the source of my terror. After trying to make some sense of my fright-induced babble, he concluded that there was a gigantic snake trying to eat the cat. He was both tickled and relieved to discovered the baby snake, looking nearly as petrified as I was and the cat at the ready to eat it. This has become a favorite story for him to tell to friends and family.

As for the bunny, you know you live in the country when, you are sitting quietly watching the TV when you hear, right beside you, the distinct cry of a baby rabbit and you recognize it. That's how it happened here. As soon as I heard it, I exclaimed to my children, "Oh no, the cat has a rabbit in here, find it!"

Unfortunately, our quick actions startled the kitten, which in turn made him release the baby rabbit. The frightened rabbit then escaped from the living room, ran into the dining room and huddled in the far corner, under a desk, where I caught it.

Suddenly, the Labrador decided she needed to be in on this action and she lunged at the bunny and me. I subsequently dropped the bunny and from there it ran into the hallway, front bathroom and it then tried for a bedroom before it was caught, again, and released into our pasture.

Now, as for the stray kitten, as I stood in my dining room, drinking a cup of coffee, it pranced its way into the kitchen and straight to the cat food bowls as if it had been there one hundred times before. Who knows, considering what the door had allowed in so far, it might have been. However, this time, it was quickly set on its way but to see it enter as if it belonged there was quite humorous.

I have to say though, the birds were the most amusing intruders, as each time they entered; they flew throughout our house with our children squealing in delight. Not to say they were welcomed but the pure joy and amazement my kids expressed at seeing them on top of my kitchen cabinet was enjoyable.

The funny thing about the bird incidents, our cats never gave them a second glance. Maybe before we came home, they had chased them to no avail or maybe they just thought they were catnip-induced hallucinations. In any event, we rallied together with brooms, opened doors and together, we herded them back outside.

The only thing I can say about these incidents is, "There is never a dull moment at our house!" I honestly don't know if these types of things are common once you install a dog door but at this point, I am beyond finding out.

I do not want to know when or if any other creatures have made use of the door, what I do know is that come this spring, there will be a brand new, dog door free, door installed, regardless of the inconvenience it may pose to any neighborhood beasties, our dogs or us!