Darwin thinks the newest house project is the greatest!

Last weekend, we were able to buy a door with a "doggie door" on craigslist, and spent much of the weekend getting it installed.

On Friday, we drove almost an hour to the rural town area north of Durham called Bahama to check out the door.  I had been told by the owner that the door was in decent condition, but many of my questions about wear and tear were left unanswered.  At a price of $25, we were really hoping the door would be what we've been looking for, but we were also set our expectations really low.  Most of the doors we had looked at new were well over $100, and it wasn't going to be much cheaper to install the dog flap ourselves.

Thankfully, our trip was not a waste of time.  The door was in great condition, matched the dimensions we needed for our back entry, and had a dog flap large enough for Darwin.

On Saturday afternoon, we tackled the task of installing the door.  It would have been very easy if the hardware and door frame were in good condition.  Unfortunately, a few of the holes were stripped - a problem that did not look very new.  When we got the door on the hinges, we couldn't get it to close.  After educating ourselves on youtube, Colin was able to get a better grip from the stripped holes and I was able to adjust some of the hinges.  Alas, the door would close (with a little extra effort)!

I wish I could say that was the end of the problem.  Once we installed the door handle and deadbolt lock, we again could not close the door.  The hardware stuck out too far from the door.  With no patience left for the project, the solution was to remove the deadbolt.  There is a lock on the handle, so we aren't too worried about leaving the deadbolt off the door.

Once we finally installed the door, we had to start on phase 3 of the project  - training Darwin to use the door.  I wish I had taken a picture of Colin teaching Darwin through "modeling."  I'll let you imagine him crawling in and out through the dog door!  While the flap did scare him a few times, Colin's modeling and our generous use of treats got him practicing.  In the beginning, he would stand a the door, unsure about going through, but after 5 days of experiencing the freedom it provides, he has become a pro.

Darwin loves being able to go in and out as he pleases!

I managed to get him coming through the door via my phone's video camera feature!

Last night he was running in and out through the flap when the neighbor's dog was out.  If I can get that on video, I'll be sure to upload it since it is much more exciting to watch.  It has been so much easier on us since we no longer have to get up and close the door every time he pushes it open.  I've definitely noticed fewer flies in the house!  While we haven't had the A/C or heat on, it will certainly help keep the house cool (or hot) better than having the door open and close all the time.

The best part is that we only spent $25 + the cost of gas to drive the hour each way.  Even with gas prices as high as they are, we still saved well over $75.  And, there is always an opportunity to get some of the money back if we can sell the door that was removed on craigslist.

I had to share this picture of Darwin hanging out with me on the couch yesterday.  He wasn't feeling well, so he spent most of his time looking out the window and "checking up" on his back yard.  If any rabbits, squirrels, or birds thought they could hang out there, they were wrong and he let them know it.

Darwin sleeps with one eye open to make sure no animals invade his yard.