Sorcha Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 (edited) So I was talking with my dogsitter about how I would likely to have to cancel plans for going away for a day next weekend because I can't expect her to carry Tuna in and out of the house the way I have been doing. The handyman who came out a week ago never did get back with me so I guess he did not want the job. The dogsitter said she had a neighbor who was very handy and had some pieces of wood left over from a project and together they would make Tuna a ramp. Neither one would accept my offer to reimburse them for the materials or their time which, being out of work and on a tight budget, I am extremely grateful. I wonder about the slat at the very bottom. do you think they are necessary? The carpeting is actually individual door mats, and there is no carpeting under where the slats are (aside from the bottom one). I was hoping the ramp would be wider, but I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth! It will work, it's just going to take some practice for Tuna especially going down (she just wants to leap off the side). Edited November 29, 2009 by Sorcha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 (edited) DH just looked at your ramp! He said it looks really nice! WOW, it is sooo cool they did it for FREE!!!! Ours is an actualy handicapped type ramp, but we used something similar to yours, when we first moved here. Looks like that is really thick wood, too, so it won't give. Does Tuna like it? I am happy you have it!! Hugs to you and to Tuna! What cute name, for a cute girl! Love, Dee and The Five p.s. DH also said, that last slat probably isn't necessary, but you'd have to be sure, if you removed it, to tack down the carpeting. Edited November 29, 2009 by Energy11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MorganKonaAlex Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Nice ramp. I think the only use for the slats is to prevent slipping. Probably only needed if there was ice on the ramp. As far as jumping off the side, if you have lawn chairs you could put them along the edge to block her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 OUR handicapped ramp has slats just like that, but under the carpeting, and it does help with slippage. We have side rales on ours. The old one had nothing on the sides, but it was really wide. Yeah, chairs or something on the sides, might be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2hounds Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 It looks really nice! I agree, maybe put something along the sides to prevent her from jumping off the sides and maybe walk with her down it? But great job and yay free! Quote 2 Hounds Design Martingale Collars | 2 Hounds Design Facebook PageAlisha, Bob, Livvie (the 2.5 year old!) plus Mia Bella, Tippy, + Wahoo and Diesel the crazy kitties (and missing sweet Iceman, Paradise, Bandit, Cujo & Sebastian) in Indian Trail, NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Nice job!!!! As for the slats, I wouldn't think they're necessary if the mats are stapled down tightly. How about Tuna? Does she like it? Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 (edited) That's a wonderful ramp. Nice and gradual. The slats will help if the ramp gets wet, and especially if it gets snowy--snow makes carpet very slippery (not sure where you are). I wouldn't worry about the last slat--I don't think it will do any harm, and it might help. I like the lawn chair idea too. Edited November 29, 2009 by GreyPoopon Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcha Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 (edited) Yes, the slats are there to keep her from slipping, and they also cover up the spaces where there is no carpeting. The bottom one seems to bug her so it might need to go but I don't have anything to tack the carpeting down if I remove it. Hmmm... The wood is thick and does not give for Tuna's weight, it's two pieces of pressure treated lumber glued together. I walk on the step by her side (with her against the house), holding her by her harness when she is on the ramp. I am not going to trust her to go up and down by herself. * edited for typo * Edited November 29, 2009 by Sorcha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Yes, the slats are there to keep her from slipping, and they also cover up the spaces where there is no carpeting. The bottom one seems to bug her so it might need to go but I don't have anything to tack the carpeting down if I remove it. Hmmm... The wood is thick and does not give for Tuna's weight, it's two pieces of pressure treated lumber glued together. I walk on the step by her side (with her again the house), holding her by her harness when she is on the ramp. I am not going to trust her to go up and down by herself. Good idea on the harness when she is going down. RE: tacking it ... you can buy carpet tacks in Wal-mart of someplace cheap like that. DH has a staple gun, and that is how ours is tacked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcha Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 (edited) OUR handicapped ramp has slats just like that, but under the carpeting, and it does help with slippage. We have side rales on ours. The old one had nothing on the sides, but it was really wide. Yeah, chairs or something on the sides, might be good. So if I picked up more of the door mats (I would have to find out where they got them) and cut them into pieces to go over the slats that might help. But, I don't have a tool to tack them in place. Hmmm... Yes, the slats are there to keep her from slipping, and they also cover up the spaces where there is no carpeting. The bottom one seems to bug her so it might need to go but I don't have anything to tack the carpeting down if I remove it. Hmmm... The wood is thick and does not give for Tuna's weight, it's two pieces of pressure treated lumber glued together. I walk on the step by her side (with her again the house), holding her by her harness when she is on the ramp. I am not going to trust her to go up and down by herself. Good idea on the harness when she is going down. RE: tacking it ... you can buy carpet tacks in Wal-mart of someplace cheap like that. DH has a staple gun, and that is how ours is tacked. Eureka, carpet tacks - great idea. However, will they rust being outside? Maybe I can find a staple gun to borrow, although I imagine the stapes will rust. Edited November 29, 2009 by Sorcha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 OUR handicapped ramp has slats just like that, but under the carpeting, and it does help with slippage. We have side rales on ours. The old one had nothing on the sides, but it was really wide. Yeah, chairs or something on the sides, might be good. So if I picked up more of the door mats (I would have to find out where they got them) and cut them into pieces to go over the slats that might help. But. I don't have a took to tack them in place. Hmmm... Yes, the slats are there to keep her from slipping, and they also cover up the spaces where there is no carpeting. The bottom one seems to bug her so it might need to go but I don't have anything to tack the carpeting down if I remove it. Hmmm... The wood is thick and does not give for Tuna's weight, it's two pieces of pressure treated lumber glued together. I walk on the step by her side (with her again the house), holding her by her harness when she is on the ramp. I am not going to trust her to go up and down by herself. Good idea on the harness when she is going down. RE: tacking it ... you can buy carpet tacks in Wal-mart of someplace cheap like that. DH has a staple gun, and that is how ours is tacked. Eureka, carpet tacks - great idea. However, will they rust being outside? Maybe I can find a staple gun to borrow, although I imagine the stapes will rust. Yours should be fine the way they are. Just that DH put ours under the carpeting. It is huge, long piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 For holding that last edge down, when it's dry out and going to be dry for 24 hours, some good duct tape. Wrap it around a couple times. It'll hold for a good long while. Next easiest is outdoor carpet glue. Again it'll need to be dry for 24 hours, and you'll want to use some books or something to weight the glued edge down. It too works quite well. So glad you got a ramp built *and* that she is agreeing to use it! Your dogsitter's neighbor rocks. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 beautiful ramp, greyt gift from a kind heart. how about putting the ramp next to the house so you can walk her down on the outside at the edge of the steps. remember to have a fantastic treat to reward her and lure her going up and down. she deserves it and the handyman deserves one as well. sweets say it all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcha Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 beautiful ramp, greyt gift from a kind heart. how about putting the ramp next to the house so you can walk her down on the outside at the edge of the steps. remember to have a fantastic treat to reward her and lure her going up and down. she deserves it and the handyman deserves one as well. sweets say it all! I wish it could be against the house, but it's not possible. Coming out of the house, you have to make a turn to start down. It's hard to explain, but if the ramp was against the house, she would have to start down it on the far left side of the ramp but by moving the ramp over, she can go down the center of the ramp. Oh, and she is not motivated by treats! Lots of holding onto her, guidance and praise does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 That's a really nice ramp. What a wonderfully kind gesture. Great idea holding on to her harness while she walks down Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IHeartDogs Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Very nice ramp, such wonderful folks. I worry about tacks (what if one is loose and cuts a toe/foot?), i would go with Gorilla Glue or carpet glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eaglflyt Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 What a great gift for the both of you! I have a bit of a different opinion on the slats and the last slat. If you're in an area where you get sleet, ice, or snow, all those slats will be VERY useful in foul weather. Even rain will show their usefulness. We're actually adding slats to our ramp. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcha Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 What a great gift for the both of you! I have a bit of a different opinion on the slats and the last slat. If you're in an area where you get sleet, ice, or snow, all those slats will be VERY useful in foul weather. Even rain will show their usefulness. We're actually adding slats to our ramp. Good Luck! So don't cover the slats, leave them as bare wood? Should I stain the wood or anything? I think I will sand the edges of the slats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 My ramp for the dogs is a little longer, but it's higher too. It's built in, wood and as wide as normal stairs would be, with a house on one side and a rail on the other side. I have indoor outdoor carpeting on our ramp. But over the last 4 years, I've had to replace it once. I used just plain finishing nails to hold it down. It's not been a real problem at all. All my dogs use the ramp, it's been a lifesaver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmdsmoxie Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Nice ramp and it looks pretty solid. Are the slats screwed on from the bottom? If they are I would take them off and drill two or three small holes near the bottom to let the rain water drain. I would also do as you suggested and sand and either stain or just clear coat them with polyurethane. Nice gift from your dogsitter and her neighbor. Dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 What a thoughtful gift for you and Tuna. Glad your girl is still getting up and around. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcha Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Nice ramp and it looks pretty solid. Are the slats screwed on from the bottom? If they are I would take them off and drill two or three small holes near the bottom to let the rain water drain. I would also do as you suggested and sand and either stain or just clear coat them with polyurethane. Nice gift from your dogsitter and her neighbor. Dick Yes, it is solid and heavy. I am not sure how the slats are fixed, it's dark now so I will check in the morning. The ramp is set in place in such a way that I can turn it on it's side (there are two handles on the side) and let it rest up against the house, which I plan to do when it's raining or snowing and not in use. It will be a real test the first time she uses it in the rain, we'll see how that goes. I will buy sandpaper for the slats and I think I have some stain in the basement, I think I can manage to do that myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Re tacking the carpet: another method, albeit more labour intensive, is to get brass screws and finishing cup washers, like these ones: from Lee Valley Tools. I use them to hold the stuff on our ramp. No rust. No cut feet. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcha Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Re tacking the carpet: another method, albeit more labour intensive, is to get brass screws and finishing cup washers, like these ones: from Lee Valley Tools. I use them to hold the stuff on our ramp. No rust. No cut feet. Thanks for the idea, but I think I have decided to leave the slats uncovered and just sand & stain them. I will keep this in mind to eventually replace whatever was used (I think staple gun?) when they start rusting. Although, sadly, I don't think the ramp will be in use for very long as Tuna is declining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greensleeves Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 The fellow who built this seems like a pretty handy guy; I'm sure he used materials appropriate for the outdoors, which would include galvanized staples. We have outdoor carpeting tacked to our deck steps with staples, and they've been there for going on four years without rusting. I don't think you have anything to worry about there. What a lovely, generous gesture; and you're so lucky you got it done while Tuna can use it. We were planning on having a ramp built for Whistler, but he passed away a few days before the carpenter was due to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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