Laura and I both knew the day that Mason could reach the deadbolt on the back door we would be in trouble. Well, that day came about a month ago. Fortunately for us, you have to push on the door a little in order to get the deadbolt unlocked. While that slowed him down a little bit, he has since figured that little trick out.
Mason having the ability to open the door does have its advantages however. If the dog needs let out, all I have to do is ask Mason to let out the dog. He runs to the back door with monkey in tow, opens the door and promptly shuts it, most of the time after the dog is completely outside. It’s from that ‘most of the time’ that the dog has learned not to stick his head out the door before it is at least halfway open. Not too much fun for the dog I would imagine to be thrashing around with your head stuck between the door and the door frame because a child is giggling and pushing on the door. It’s a bear we all have to cross I guess because I too, have had Mason open the door for me only to slam it in my face just as I get up to it. Ahh to be two and be able to get away with that kind of stuff.
Door slamming has become a game for Mason. The louder the noise the better it is. Apparently it is fun to play with the dog as well, only I don’t think Mason and the dog agree on the rules. From the dog’s point of view: door opens, walk through door, door closes. From Mason’s point of view: open door, slam door on dog as he is walking through. Because of this, I have seen the dog sit on the back step while Mason very slowly opens the door setting his trap. When the door is open far enough, the dog will make a run for it. Sometimes he makes it, sometimes he doesn’t.
Since the dog is allowed to go in and out of the house, Mason thinks that he should be able to as well. We live out in the country on a gravel road and our closet neighbor is about 1/8 mile away. None the less, he is not allowed to go outside by himself yet. Mason disagrees with us on that point and tries to get out whenever he thinks we are not paying attention. Just the other day, Mason grabbed a cloth shopping bag, stuffed in a banana, a diaper and monkey. He walks up to Laura holding the bag, waves, says “bye” and walks out the back door. Laura is a little confused at this point so she lets him go, watching from the kitchen window. That little kid walked to the end of the driveway and turned left at the road! He had decided it was time to see more of the world.
At least he took a clean diaper!
