Was wondering if anyone lives in Northern Vermont and has 1-3 doghouses that they no longer use? I need them for 3 of my foster dogs for winter and was wondering if anyone out there would like to donate them to me or sell at a low price. Thanks, Carla

-- Carla (hoycarla@hotmail.com), September 30, 2000

Answers

We don't live near you, but here is an idea we used. We got several large wooden spools from the cable or electric company and cut a door in the cylinder part, put some leftover roll roofing on top, filled with straw and they made nice shelters for dogs, geese, etc. I think they are nicer than doghouses as they have a nice overhang for shade or rain, are very sturdy and the dogs like to sit on the roof to look around.

-- Kate Henderson (sheeplady@catskill.net), October 01, 2000.

Carla-my neighbor gets plastic 55 gallon drums, cuts one end out, and fills it w/ straw, and-instant doghouse! He raises it off the ground with blocks, and blocks the sides to it doesn't roll, and his coonhounds love it! Hope you find something!

-- Joe (Threearrs@AOL.com), October 01, 2000.

Most dog houses are T-111 and 2 x 4's. I sometimes get scraps from the lumberyard or construction sites so it doesn't cost me anything. I really use it for rabbit hutches but the same principle. I keep a nice pile for when I need to make anything. The houses don't have to be fancy, just sorta like a leanto with a front. Then you can put burlap over the front to keep out the wind.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), October 01, 2000.

DELTA Rescue in California makes dog houses for their rescue dogs out of stacked straw bales, covered in stucco for lasting. The straw bale construction has a long homesteading history in the US for houses for humans, and barns for their animals. They have a video available covering construction. They are extremely sturdy, super- insulated so they are warm in winter and cool in summer. They are insect and vermin proof, fireproof, and long lasting -- houses in Nebraska made in this manner are over 100 years old. You can contact them for a video at DELTA Rescue/PO Box 9/Glendale, CA 91209. Phone #661-269-5043. Sorry, I don't know if they have e-mail.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), October 01, 2000.