have you priced out a doggy door that comes with a remote control? The remote goes on the dog's collar so that only the dog can open the door. (no sneaky snakes or cats coming in)

I think I'd rather have a skunk come thru the doggie door than a snake!

too cute, Mortimer has also learned to let himself in, just hasn't learned to let himself out. Around here, it could be a snake that you wake up to, so I have learned to lock the door when he is out side LOL

We have too many critters here. If I wake up to a snake the whole neighborhood would be awake. No doggie doors here.