Those who know me, or have heard me during the past few years give a lecture on my research on the history of dog breeds, are aware that I have a Basset Hound. Dermot is now 8 years old, and I'm starting to get concerned about his jumping on and off the sofa.
Actually, I have long been concerned about his jumping onto the sofa, though in earlier days it was about the mere fact that he was doing so. Now it's about keeping him safe when he does so.
So I decided he needed a "step" to reduce the distance of his jump, but steps designed for dogs won't work with his long body. I came up with the idea of getting an old side table, cutting off the legs and upholstering the top to give Dermot a soft, safe step up to the sofa.
A nearby neighborhood had its community garage sale last weekend, and I found the perfect end table for $15. After I had the legs cut down to 8 inches, I used some batting donated by my mother, a remnant from Jo-Ann Fabrics and a staple gun to upholster the top.
As this photo shows, it didn't turn out too bad. My brother and sister-in-law are now asking — jokingly — when I come to their house to reupholster some chairs and a sofa. I think I'll keep my day job, but at least Dermot now has a safer way to get on and off the sofa.