As tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be nice to tell you about my experiences with kissing gates. There are two explanations of why they are named kissing gates. The first is that “kissing” is an engineering term to describe the gate touching the posts on either side. The second explanation is more romantic, so it’s my preferred one for Valentine’s Day. The older kissing gates have quite a restricted space, so a couple would have to go through one at a time. A kiss can be requested to allow the second person to swing the gate and pass through.
Kissing Gate – Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The first time I saw a kissing gate, it was in the grounds of Wimpole Hall. It was quite a large kissing gate and there was no other gate available. My bipeds told me that it was large enough for me to enter and stand still, but I was not keen on the idea of that gate swinging next to me. I was six months old and I had never been nervous of anything before, but I decided I was not going to enter the kissing gate. They tried to tempt me with treats, but I was not persuaded. They demonstrated how easy it was by going through it multiple times themselves. That was very amusing, but I wasn’t convinced.
We changed direction and we went to the tea shop and sat outside at a table. One of my bipeds stayed with me while the other one went in and came back with some tea, cakes and a sausage roll. They ate the cakes and drank the tea, but they didn’t give me anything. They wrapped the sausage roll up in a napkin and put it in a pocket, as though they were planning to take it home – that was silly, I was there and keen to try it.
We left the tea shop and walked towards the kissing gate. This time the biped with the sausage roll went through. Then he got the sausage roll out and broke a piece off and held it out, through the side of the kissing gate. Well, I could risk putting my head inside to get a piece of sausage roll! But it was still just out of reach, so I moved forward. Before I knew it, I was inside the kissing gate eating a tasty piece of sausage roll and the gate had swung past me and I could join the biped who had the sausage roll.
They made a big fuss of me and told me how clever I was. They seemed to find it amusing, I’m not sure why – they should have explained better in the first place! We had a pleasant stroll and then returned through the kissing gate. I was quite keen to enter this time because I knew there was still sausage roll left! I haven’t been worried about going through a kissing gate since, as long as my bipeds say it’s large enough. Some kissing gates are far too small for me to fit in the enclosure – that’s what I call a bad design. But not as bad as a suspension footbridge that wobbles – I’ll tell you about that another time!
See you next Wednesday!
Clowie's Corner 
That is the advantage of being a big dog Clowie. Your bipeds need to ‘encourage’ you through such things. Mine can pick me up – Oh the indignity!
I am not usually afraid of things if they are with me though so thankfully it doesn’t happen often. The last time I recall was at the pet-groomers. I like my long hair and I didn’t want a bath!
I know I wouldn’t like that, Zena, that must have been embarrassing. I don’t think they’ll take that approach with Raffles!
Well, everything works just fine when your bipeds think things through properly!
Exactly! They should have had better quality treats with them in the first place!
Love Zena’s comment, they just pick her up..BOL We have one of those gates but never knew it was called a kissing gate 🙂 I’m not going through it again unless I get sausage roll 🙂 Have a wonderful Wednesday, see ya next week 🙂 xxooxxx
Mollie and Alfie
Yes, I’m glad it isn’t that easy to whisk me off my paws! Demand sausage roll, or something even better – it should work.
A great story, have never heard of the kissing gates but will certainly check out the history and story of such a beautiful tradition.
Aussie Ian
There are quite a lot of them dotted about the British countryside. Some of the older ones can be quite attractive.
O I’m right with you on the wobbley suspension gates, although I will insist on going right up to the edge and looking over! I’m kinda lucky only having little legs means I just squeeze right under, but now I know I am missing out on sausage rolls I may not next time hee hee!
It would be quite useful to be able to wriggle through such a small gap! But I do think you should stand your ground and demand a sausage roll.
Let’s face it Clowie, you were way ahead of the bipeds!! Clever ploy to get the noms 🙂
Yes, but don’t tell them! Sometimes the rewards are better when they think they’re doing the thinking!
Great story Clowie. We don’t like them much as we always get in a muddle going through them.Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Best wishes Molly
I usually have to go through the gate on my own because of the limited space, so we still get in a muddle with my lead sometimes – especially if there’s only one biped with me!
What a great story Clowie! You were a very clever girl to figure out how to get that sausage in the end…… 😀 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
Thanks Sammy! It is important to know how to get bipeds trained to hand out the best treats!
Interesting…we always have to figure out how to get through those things and it is not easy with 2 dogs and a human!
They can be very difficult! And I’m sure your sister Katie finds the same as I do, that sometimes there just isn’t enough room for one dog.
Zena gotta give you a hug with your response LOL 🙂
Yes, I feel for Zena on that – being heavy really does have advantages sometimes!
Great post, Clowie… Kissing gates are special – but better than revolving doors ;o) but I would never walk over a wobbling footbridge – we have one here and my dad had to carry me across this thingy ;o)
I’d have liked to see your dad carrying you across the bridge – you’re a little on the large side to carry far!
what should he do – I stood in front of this thingy like a monument ;o)
Ha ha, you have your staff well trained, Easy!
I’ve never heard of a kissing gate before this. I’m glad you made it through. Smart thinking to wait for a sausage before you tried it. 😉
It was far too tricky to attempt it without a sausage to focus the brain!
What a great Idea! We’s has deer gates that is sort of like that, me likes the name kissing gates better! Now me can amuse my furrends with another tidbit thanks to yous Clowie!
Yous is one super smart Doggy to gets them to pay yous!
Kisses
Nellie
Hi Nellie! Yes, I think kissing gate is a nice name. I find it interesting to hear about other parts of the world that my blogging pals live in.
One should always be on the lookout for the treat potential of any situation, woof!
I like the sound of this kissing gate, Clowie! I love to give kisses 🙂 And when you add the sausage, oh my, it sounds like heaven!
Yes, there aren’t many better combinations than sausages and kisses!
Good job sweet Clowie showing them you knew how to get that sausage. We found this very interesting as we have never seen or heard of a kissing gate. Hugs and nose kisses
Thank you, it’s always good to look for opportunities to get sausages!
Very cool, I had no idea those were called kissing gates – but I’m sure Eko would be just as wary of all those posts. Never can be too careful!
Eko would find some of them a bit short on space, like I do – and then it’s a bit worrying when the gate moves! But very tasty treats do help!
Excellent work Clowie…training your bipeds to hand out the sausage roll was very clever on your part 🙂
I’ve done my best to train them to hand out very tasty treats in all sorts of circumstances. You can never have too many treats!
I know you can’t have chocolate but perhaps we could replace this with a sausage cupcake instead! There’s a little something sweet pre-Valentine’s Day waiting for you at http://acrossthebored.com/2013/02/13/surrounded-by-sweet/
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Thank you very much! They gave me doggy chocolate once – I wouldn’t eat it. But a sausage cupcake sounds delightful.
You are such a smart doggie, Clowie. That was a good move. That sausage sounds yummy. Glad you got such a good treat. Have a great day.
Thank you! The sausage was lovely, and they made sure they had extra tasty treats with them the next time we went somewhere with a kissing gate.
How interesting about the kissing gates Clowie. I have never heard of them before. We almost have a kissing gate on the Tiny Ten. We are missing one side.. 🙂 I think I am going to try to talk CH into making it a kissing gate because of your story. A footbridge that wobbles…..
I’m glad you found the kissing gates interesting. I think that farmers like them a lot because there’s no worry about someone leaving a gate open.
A kissing gate would make a lovely feature at the Tiny Ten – I shall expect photos! But I wouldn’t have a footbridge that wobbles, it’s very disconcerting!
The 2 parts of the kissing gate are in the storm photo. Maybe hard to see. But CH just came in and looked and he said he thought we could do it and it would be a good conversation piece.. 🙂 I think it would be a lovely thought. Just no fence to attach to the posts, it would stand alone. In summer if there is no drought it has hibiscus climbing up it.
I’ve just been to look at your storm photo – I think I see where you mean. It would make a very interesting feature and it would look pretty with plants on it. It’s exciting!