The Gate of Wrath.

We moved into our house on Oct. 31, 2017. We have a little rescue dog. A Yorkie. Her name is Pixie. To keep her from getting out, this was one of the first things Wifey put on my Honey-Do List. Originally, the warpage was blocked by a small piece of wood. Over time, the gate warped more. I kept upping the thickness of the wood I wedged in the gap. Eventually I was using a 4 x 4 block. Then we added another rescue to our menagerie. We named her Bunny Mouse because she hopped around the yard like a bunny and squeaked like a mouse. She's a Chihuahua/Mini Pincher mix. She started out very small. Then her legs began to grow. And one day I was curious about what got our two cats, Smoochy and Snickers, so excited out the side window. When what to my wondering eyes should appear? A miniature dog with long legs. There was Bunny Mouse out of the yard. It was time to build a new gate.

Step 1: THE ESCAPE ARTIST

Here is Bunny Mouse in all her long-legged glory.

Step 2: THE PLANS

I jotted down all the measurements on the existing gate.

Step 3: MATERIALS AND TOOLS

I used pressure treated 2 x 4s and standard fencing pickets from Lowe's.

The tools used were few. My miter saw, pocket hole jig, drill, screws, socket set, and, of course, my tape measure.

Step 4: THE FRAME

Pocket screws were used to build the frame.

Step 5: DOUBLE THE FUN

It is a double-sided gate and fence system. I took my time measuring the spacing on both sides. Exterior deck screws were used to secure all the pickets. It weighed a ton. I couldn't lift it. I contemplated "walking" it around the house to the backyard like the Rapa Nui of Easter Island moved the Moai stone heads. In my youth, I could've finagled the fence around the side of the house and installed it, but as I am just two months shy of becoming three-quarters of a century old, I called my two sons for help. Needing only one of them, my youngest agreed to help.