Two neighbors in California’s Bay Area found the perfect way to entertain their best friends, their dogs.
Whitney Tipton, known on TikTok as @fun_with_grump, tells PEOPLE that she first became friends with her neighbors after they both welcomed puppies into their families around the same time.
“Trapper is a two-year-old golden retriever and Fritz is a three-year-old shepherd mix. Their friendship is the sweetest and funniest thing,” she tells PEOPLE.
“Dogs were also how we became friends with our neighbors. We were both first-time dog owners and got to know each other by empathizing with each other’s puppy challenges over the fence.”
The two dogs are the perfect “odd couple,” says Tipton. “It’s worth noting that our dogs didn’t make friends right away. We introduced them slowly and it took time.”
She explains their current dynamic: “Trapper is a complete goof and Fritz is more reserved and serious. Their different personalities are what make them fun to watch.”
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Having a dog gate built into their fence was “wonderful,” says Tipton, explaining that it started as a joke between the neighbors.
“My neighbor joked about it for months – she would send us tragic photos of Trapper’s sad eyes under the fence to make her case,” she says.
“Then one day, my neighbor and I were in her yard when someone poked his head over the fence to say hello. It turned out he was a dog lover who also lived next door and was building a fence next door. While we were talking about dogs and his handiwork, the idea of a door came to mind.”
It seemed that fate had brought them someone who was up for the job, so the neighbors “decided to go for it”.
“He was the one who suggested closing it on both sides so we’d have to coordinate and agree on when it would be open, which we all liked,” explains Tipton. “The design was based on an existing fence and a human-sized gate… we couldn’t be happier with it. It turned out even better than we hoped.”
The neighbors and their pups have been enjoying the fence for a few months now and so far, “The dogs have had so much fun and it’s been so convenient for us, plus it’s impossible not to smile every time we open it.”
Both neighbors are also happy that when the dog gate is open, the two get “double the space in the yard” to play.
“We live in a fairly dense neighborhood. They used to play together in the yards, but it was less common and they were confined to one side or the other,” he notes.
“Now we can easily open it whenever we’re out together, even if we’re still in our pajamas or busy doing yard work or whatever.”
The proud dog mom says, “Trapper runs to check the door almost every time he goes outside. Fritz howls when he wants it open. The dogs’ excitement is contagious and hasn’t stopped at all.” The two neighbors are so happy with their decision that they hope other people will try it with their neighbors.
“If humans and dogs get along, there’s nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Some people online said we should keep them open all the time, but others commented that double latches show respect for each other and that’s how we see it ” says Tipton. “And if your neighbor doesn’t have a dog yet, well… we didn’t either when we moved in, so there’s still hope!”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education