when i'm home he comes and goes to HIS back yard as much as he wishes. i put up a little fence (he's a scottie) between the main back yard and his backyard. mine has grass, flowers etc. and french doors. his has dirt. lots of it. and a dog door in the screen door. he can dig to his hearts content. and i can close it for security. its a great compromise. fortunately. his has the driveway (behind a fence) so theres some concrete to clean his feet and trim his nails. and its an area i wasnt going to do anything with, so he can do whatever he wants. i cant believe how well its worked out. when im at work, he;s inside. he has a big head, and gets it stuck in things sometimes. plus, once in a while something strange finds its way into the yard. im just not comfy leaving him out all day alone (big city). he's fine though, he has the house, and toys to play with. the cat uses the dog door too. the only conflict comes when dog wants to go out when i come home and cat wants to come in (he was a stray). (insert clint eastwood whistling music here). owen is the alpha so he always wins, but its interesting to watch the starefest before the cat backs down and lets the dog out before he goes in.

when i want owen in i knock on a window. he comes running. when i want clive the cat in i kick the dog door and he comes running. lord i'm spoiled.