| Project by Zuki | posted 404 days ago | 788 views | 2 times favorited | 11 comments |  |
 |
We have a 20 1/2 year old dog that is 3/4 deaf and 3/4 blind, however she loves to eat and loves being outside when she is not napping in the house. We did not want to build a large stationary kennel as it would prevent us from moving her to where we are in the garden . . . so I built a doggie tractor.
There is no fancy joinery . . . just butted edges and screws. I used “ruff” construction grade lumber for the construction. The chicken wire prevents her from “fleaing” the area. The rear of the tractor has a cut-down tarp installed just in case it gets extra sunny or starts to rain. There is a hinged gate on the front to allow easy entry and exit. The wheels on the back were salvaged from a baby buggy that I found in the ditch on the side of the road 1/2 burried in snow. The wheels allow DW to easily move pup to where she is in the garden – just lift up on the front of the tractor and wheel it to the new loction.
This was not a real challenge to build . . . but its the real cat’s meow.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
11 comments so far
Russel
home | projects | blog
1769 posts in 690 days
posted 404 days ago
How remarkably pragmatic and efficatious. Has she attempt to get underneath the walls yet? We had a German Shepherd once that slept under out bed as a pup and continued to do so until she was full grown. Needless to say, we were well aware when she was startled during the night.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
GaryK
home | projects | blog
9429 posts in 740 days
posted 404 days ago
That a pretty good idea. Too old to go underneath?
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
lew
home | projects | blog
3702 posts in 507 days
posted 404 days ago
Beautiful job.
I am sure this member of the family enjoys being able to sleep in the sun and feel the warm breezes on her nose.
Lew
EdC
home | projects | blog
448 posts in 592 days
posted 404 days ago
That is really cool
Good thinking
-- Ed - Milan, IN
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
2769 posts in 439 days
posted 404 days ago
Great idea !
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belongs to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Zuki
home | projects | blog
1180 posts in 828 days
posted 404 days ago
Russel . . . at approximately 150 people years she is not much into digging any more. You got it Gary . . . she is a wee to old. In her younger days (5 years ago) she would have attempted such a feat. Now she is like one of those wind up toys that bump into something and then change direction to bump into something else and off it goes into another direction.
Fufer has had an exciting life. We lost her several years ago for 1 week near our home. An Animal Communicator from the UK helped us find her. It was one heck of a week. Here is her story.
http://www.dogsonholiday-uk.com/exceptional_dogs_fufer.html
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
ND2ELK
home | projects | blog
5053 posts in 525 days
posted 404 days ago
I am sure the old dog likes being around you guys. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
trifern
home | projects | blog
7776 posts in 518 days
posted 404 days ago
Nice solution. I bet it is also nice not having to mow and trim around or have the “kennel” get muddy. Thank you for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Scott Bryan
home | projects | blog
16273 posts in 573 days
posted 404 days ago
Zuki,
This is a wonderful idea for Fufer. It lets her get outside and at the same time keeps her safe. At 20+ she certainly has lived a full life.
Well done and thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Larry
home | projects | blog
185 posts in 963 days
posted 404 days ago
Great Idea and its keep the old girl out of trouble. 20+ that is neat – I lost mine at 18 years and I though I was going to die. Having a pet that long – they become one of the family for sure – come to think of it – that is longer than most of our kids live at home (thank goodness) – no wonder the critters get more attention than the kids.
-- Larry ------------------------------------------- "Have you hugged your pet today?"
MarkWilk
home | projects | blog
172 posts in 628 days
posted 403 days ago
What a great idea, and a terrific way to give your dog some help and support. I am a sucker for anyone willing to build stuff for dogs. I’ve done a few dog houses in my time, and I’m getting ready for a new one with a swimming pool, sort of.
That’s a great way to help out a furry family member!
Mark
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/