We love our dogs.  On the whole, they bring us much joy and happiness.  Occassionally, we consider how much easier life would be in a world sans-canine. Not having to clean up “presents” left by the puppy. Not having to clean dust bunnies from the floor every few days.  Not having to replace the front door.  Huh?

Our dogs hate being left in a room when they can see we are somewhere else.  On this particular occasion, Rick and I were working outside, just beyond the front door.  The dogs could see us through the windows in the two formal living rooms, either side of the front door. We were quite tickled at the sight of our dogs pining away for us – after all, we were just 5 feet way (can you say separation anxiety?).  Shrimp even started shaking and shrieking like she was being skinned alive. Whilst all this was going on, our newest addition to the family, Arriba, decided to start scratching on the door. About 10 minutes later when we came back inside, we were greeted with this sight – a piece of the bottom of the front door was missing!

Now, we knew that the front door would need to be replaced sooner or later.  We were kinda hoping on the later.  Like most of the exterior on our house, there has been some water damage and rot, and the front door was no exception. However, we did not fully realize just how bad the door must have been at the bottom for a small 5lb chihuahua to make so much damage in just a short span of time. Apart from the esthetics, we were concerned about the security of the door.  After all, if a 5lb chewie can eat through the door in 5 minutes, who knows what a well-placed foot by an intruder could do? So, off to Home Depot we went (for the 365th time this month).  Luckily, they were having a sale on exterior front doors (yay!), and so we snapped one up tout de suite. 

Rick installed the new front door as soon as we got home. The existing wood transom windows will need to be replaced soon, but they can wait for a little bit.  The new steel door is primed, ready for paint.  We will probably end up painting the door and transom in the same color to seamlessly blend the old and new. Yet another thing to add to the renovation to-do list.

Buy new door. Check.
Replace door. Check.
Replace chihuahua …

Tags: doors