There's been a new feature added to our front door, one that I'm sure makes people ask "what's up with that?"... a cactus curtain!
It probably looks a little silly, but it serves its purpose. Lila's bark button gets stuck in the "on" position a lot these days. There doesn't even have to be anything out there worth barking at, like a passing car or an odd looking person. Nope, she barks at the sky, the plants, everything and nothing at all.
With the shorter (and grayer) days of winter ahead I wanted to be able to leave the door open to let as much light in as possible, but not drive the neighbors (and us) crazy with the barks. Cactus curtain to the rescue...
Weather Diary, Oct 3: Hi 71, Low 44/ Precip 0
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That's a great solution! And I'm sure your neighbors welcome the relief. One of my neighbors has apparently recently gotten a little dog and if it's outside while I'm out gardening in my front garden, it barks at me incessantly. What's really annoying about this, is that it's always unsupervised and off the lash when this happens.
ReplyDeleteOne of my neighbors has two pit bulls that are allowed to go out into her backyard whenever they like during the day (while she's at work — there's a dog door). Yesterday while I was outside working they spent the day barking at whatever passed by. The last time I complained to her she said "Well soon the rains will start and you won't be outside to hear them any longer!" Not a helpful reply. She's a teacher so summer is usually okay but spring and fall it's another story. I so do not want to be that person, even if my dog is indoors while it's happening (and somewhat muffled). I'm sorry you're having to experience this.
DeleteI have to hand it to Lila - she's not alone. The world around me makes me bark a lot right now, too. Jeez Louise... Maybe I need to get some curtains too, and shut myself off for a while. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteOh Anna you made me laugh! I pictured you barking at passers by... yes you need some curtains too!
DeletePerfect solution! My dogs tend to bark at sounds as well; maybe I need to make them some cactus earmuffs.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's one benefit to her being deaf now, no barks at noise. Cactus earmuffs would be adorable on your fur babies!
DeleteGreat dogs think alike. Ours love to bark at anyone that walks down the sidewalk or across the street. Super cute solution!
ReplyDeleteGotta protect their castle!
DeleteIt's a perfect Lila-friendly solution.
ReplyDeleteI occasionally pull them back too and let her have a look around...
DeleteBrilliant solution and it's spikey!
ReplyDeleteSpikes for the win!
DeleteThat is a great fabric! Our dogs bark, but it's at sounds as much as actual things. Glad this solution works for you.
ReplyDeleteShe lost her hearing a few years back so we no longer have that issue, 4th of July is a breeze!
DeleteGreat idea. Hope it works, Our sin has the same problem with his dogs who are elderly and one of them is deaf. Barks at nothing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting you mention the deaf part, we've long suspected the barking increase may have something to do with her being deaf.
DeleteGreat idea! I know what you mean about getting as much sunlight as possible as the days get shorter. I'm feeling it lately.
ReplyDeleteIt changes so fast doesn't it?
DeleteThe kind of cactus that won't harm Lila. Guess it keeps the "nose art" off the glass, too. It's not easy being a senior dog!
ReplyDeleteNatasha is the yappy one here--Boris prefers to woo-woo. Then there is their regular morning howl...luckily the houses are far enough apart, and they perform their howl indoors.
Ha! Yes, and the paw marks where she tries to eat the mail man.
DeleteSenior pups often bark at nothing we see or hear, but they are barking at what they imagine they are hearing or seeing and they still want to protect us from the potential goblins that might be coming after their humans. Like older adults, they don't see or hear well. Lila needs a hug to know she is doing her job.
ReplyDeleteHugs, treats, ever softer beds and homemade food...she's the most spoiled, and appreciated, dog I know! One other thing I didn't mention that necessitated the curtains is the fact that every bark seems to release a little drop of urine. The bladder control ain't what it used to be and the hardwood floors showing the proof...
DeleteIt's a lucky dog who gets her own cactus curtain.I mean, I don't even know people who get that.
ReplyDeleteSpoiled rotten!
DeleteBrilliant! I'd need a lot of curtains for Wren. ;)
ReplyDelete