Of Latches and Blood Donations

When Erlina was so very ill she required 4 blood transfusions. In order to help out we enrolled 8 of the dogs as blood donors and this weekend 7 of them were called on to provide blood for an unfortunate Golden Retriever who was running in the woods and impaled herself on a sharp stick.

This is a traditional chain link fork latch.

It is fairly easy for a dog to flip open if he/she can reach the latch with his/her nose, and all the dogs can easily reach the latches on the 4 foot fences we have dividing the interior of their running areas. We have to put a hook (visible at the lower left of the picture) through the latch to keep the beasties from going where they will. Philly is the expert and can open an unhooked latch without even breaking her stride.

This is a "master kennel latch."

It requires that the latch be lifted straight up and then twisted to get it open. It is not easy even for humans. Yup, Philly can open them too, but it takes her awhile. She just gives them a hard lift with her nose and out she goes.

This is a plunger latch

A plunger latch requires that the hound press down on the top of the plunger with one front paw while pressing on the gate with the other front paw. Philly did not know how to open them until Saoirse showed her how.

Generally the hounds will not open the latches unless they really want to go somewhere. Then. . .

Yes, both the master kennel latch picture and the plunger latch picture were taken in the house: living room and dining room respectively. Doesn't everybody decorate with chain link ?

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