More Muddy Paws Mischief

Moving into our new house in the country is fun and exciting, but we ran out of time to get the yard ready for the dogs.   Our border collies, Tim and Hank consider it ready, with lots of room to run, squirrels and rabbits to chase and things to sniff.  But I don't consider it ready.

New house under construction

Can you see the problem?  Hint: We are surrounded by almost an acre of bare dirt.

Mud Puddle

Now that the fall rains have arrived, it is worse.  Now we are surrounded by a sea of dirt and mud -  sticky, nasty, makes great mud-pies mud.   Note the faintly visible patches of green where my hopes of keeping-paws-clean grass seed has barely started to germinate.  I've tried to be diligent about wiping their feet when we come in after some play time or a walk, but there was a small detail I forgot.

Doggie Door in a Door

Big oops - forgot to put the cover over the doggie door until after the dirt and mud are under control, which probably won't be until after the first big snowfall.

Muddy Paw Prints

I didn't realize the dog door was available for a couple of border collies to come and go as they pleased until I saw these muddy paw prints on the floor.

Border Collie paw prints

It wasn't difficult to follow the trail of tracks to see where they led.

Paw prints on the bed

I followed the tracks into the bedroom and onto the bed.

Hank the border collie sleeping on the bed

Where I found Hank taking a snooze on our bed.  The camera flash woke him up enough to open his eyes, but don't worry, otherwise he was undisturbed.  Those of you who have been following this blog for awhile may recall that this isn't Hank's first Monday Mischief with muddy paws.  He's been there before:  Hank the Border Collie Forgets His Manners

Have you learned any tips for keeping down the dirt and mud at your house?