It's all about the dogs.

About a year ago we installed a small pet door. It was meant for Gracie, the cat, but she rarely used it because of this. Remy would stick her head, which was all that would fit, through the little hole and just sit there all day long watching what was going on in the kitchen and longing to come inside. She, however, was not allowed inside as her dog manners were atrocious. She is known to have eaten more than one entire cube of butter. So, she has been banished to the "do not enter" list, which is something like the "no fly" list the airlines have. But, after a year of her head crammed as far through the little door as she could get it, and poor little Moose, who obviously was not little enough for the little door, squeezing himself in and out of it, and Lewis slamming through it at mach speed to get outside and play with the chickens, my poor little pet door was broken and it no longer kept out the cold wind. So, it was time to install a new one. I decided to increase the size slightly in the hopes that it might last a little longer and make it a little easier for Mr. Moose to get in and out, because as we all know, at my house it's all about the dogs (and cats, and birds, and whatever animal might come to play).

I gathered my tools....grinder, drill driver, screw driver, goggles, and my favorite paring knife from the kitchen. What, you don't use a paring knife when doing a home improvement project? Oh how I wish there had been a photographer on hand to document the entertainment. I ruthlessly removed the broken pet door, not taking any care what so ever to keep it in tact. I hacked and ripped and tore that sucker out of the door, breaking my favorite paring knife in the process. Note: a paring knife does not make a good pry bar. Next, I drew the pattern on the insulated metal door so I would know exactly where to cut the hole. Next I donned my safety goggles, long sleeved shirt, and leather gloves because Jay warned me there would be sparks when I did the cutting. It was awesome! It was like the fourth of July and I had lit an entire box of sparklers on fire! I took that grinder to the metal door and the sparks rained down like a Nebraska rain storm. Carl, the cat, observed intently from the top of the washing machine. He maintained a good vantage point, but kept a safe distance from the rain of fire. Tater, Remy and Moose stood on the back porch, their little doggy heads tilted curiously to the side, mesmerized by the fascinating show. I carefully cut and shaped the perfect opening and tried the new door in the hole to see if it fit, then taking it out and carefully shaving a tiny bit more off the opening, and then fitting the door to the hole. I repeated this process over and over until I had the perfect fit.

At last I was done. Everything went together slick as a whistle and Tater was enthralled by the idea that even he could now fit his big 'ol head through the little door. He stood and tapped the clear plastic cover with his wet nose until he was satisfied that it was, indeed, flexible before he finally put his snout all the way through.

Moose pawed the flap several times to insure that it would swing both ways before he happily hopped through it and he was delighted at how simple getting in and out of the house had suddenly become.

I just cleaned up the mess, put away the tools, and kicked back with my favorite tangerine fruit bar and admired with pride the latest in my home improvement endeavors.

Next, Jordan and I are going to build a new chicken house. Shhhh.....he doesn't know it yet.