I've got a real soft spot in my heart for animals. So the thought of a family pet accidentally falling into a swimming pool and swimming around in circles trying to find a way out, until they start to tire and...well, it's tough to take. Dogs can't see pool steps and when they are trained to find them, they are actually learning to find them by some other landmark. In a stress situation or at night, that landmark may not be easy to find. And that's why I liked the idea of the Skamper-Ramp; the ramp sits at eye level to the water, so it is easily seen as an escape. The ramp is constructed of all white plastic, the only color all living animals can see, so it is useful day or night to all kinds of animals such as dogs, cats, squirrels, and possums. The Skamper Ramp comes in two different sizes: the original for pets up to 45 pounds and a larger size specially designed for big dogs. The Skamper Ramp website has a store locator, but the ramps are also available online from resellers. Prices vary but are in the $47.95-$59.95 range for the classic model and $65.95-$85.95 range for the larger model for big dogs.
