Finally a more or less permanent doghouse. The poor dogs have been shuffled around for quite a while now. For a long time their beds were on the front porch. A less than idea spot for them because of the northern exposure and the mess that comes with dogs, hair mostly. We tried to move them to behind the woodshed but that was too far out of the stream of excitement for them and it was hard to get to when the snow was deep. Last winter we put their beds in the middle part of the woodshed, the part that I am promoting to a small shop. That worked out well but there is not room for all of us, so for the summer their beds have been in the woodshed proper. Of course that was only temporary because now I am starting to put wood in the shed. I have had plans to build this small structure in the front corner of woodshed and I finally got it done. All it needs now is some paint but that doesn't stop Cali from using it. So far it is a success.
The top part of the doghouse has a dual purpose. The front is being used to stack kindling. The part behind the kindling, see photos below, we will use to feed the cat, Tago. It has been an ever continuing battle to keep the dogs out of the cat food and also the Jay birds. We have probably spent more money feeding the Blue Jays and Camp Robbers than we have the cat. I wouldn't doubt that somewhere in the forest, close at hand, there are hundreds of pounds of cat food stored away for the hard times ahead.
The birds could still get to this new location but they will have to be very brazen to intrude so far into the realm of human and cat. We will also make a place near the food for Tago to sleep. I have my doubts if she will utilize it as willingly as Cali has her bed. Currently Tago owns a little corner by the back door but, to my idea, it is less than perfect. I think she would be warmer here, above the dog bed but cats have their own mind in such matters. Tago is entering her elderly years and I think she is more susceptible to the cold weather than she used to be. She has always been an outside cat, all cats are healthier living outside, but I still worry about her when we get the frigid sub-zero temperatures. She does spend some time inside during those spells warming up, and while well behaved, she prefers to be outside.
The area behind the kindling will be for feeding Tago, the cat, and for her bed, should she decide to move in.
Tago peeking out from her current nook by the back step.
