A Better Mouse Trap

We just spent 2 hours trying to build a "better mouse trap." Okay, it was more of a barricade with an opening to allow Chloe and Crystal access to the bathroom while keeping Casper out of it.

Yes, we did consider several options but each option came new problems:

Option 1: Lock the cats in the bedroom with access to the bathroom during the day.
Problem: We worry that the cats may retaliate and protest by not using the litter box (yes, this is the exact reason we need the barricade to begin with).

Option 2: Lock Casper in the spare bedroom.
Problems: It sort of defeats the purpose of having an indoor guard dog if he's locked away in a room all day.

Option 3: Leave Casper outside all day.
Problems: We live in TX and after all of his practice of getting through a barricade we also fear that he may be able to climb fences. Basically, we love him too much to risk leaving him outside all day.

Option 4: Get rid of one species (either both cats or the dog).
Problems: We made a committment to the animals when we first adopted them and will only give them up if they become aggressive or if we can no longer provide a good home for them. Again, it comes down to us loving them and them not doing anything that truly warrants us giving them up (yet). After all, it's separation anxiety that has caused Casper to resort to drastic measures and seek out the bathtub as a safe haven while we're not home.

Option 5: Put a cat hole archway in the door.
Problems: We might not install it or create it correctly. We may not build the opening large enough (our cats love to eat). We'll need to buy a new door if we ever sell the house.

Option 6: Keep trying to build a better barricade.
Problems: It takes time to set up in the morning and we need to build it strong enough to keep Casper out but still safe enough to prevent him and the cats from being injured if it fails.

After considering all of our options we determined that option # 6 is the best one.

After numerous failed attempts of building a barricade with a baby gate and other random materials we have around the house, we finally succeeded (we think). The barricade consists of 2 sturdy cardboard boxes, 2 shoe racks carefully positioned on their sides, and a baby gate to top it all off. The true test will be tomorrow. Hopefully, it works!