The Ruff Life

Canada has a total of 6 million dogs a pets, and the number is growing (Psychology Today, 2012).  Canadians love their dogs and the services and products available in the pet industry is proof we consider them as part of the family (at least I do!). A lot of us are willing to spend whatever for our beloved four legged friends, so why not indulge your dog with their own house as a sign of deep affection? 

Dog houses have been around for years and is nothing out of the ordinary. But what about an architecturally designed, custom built house that your dog could call its own? Whether your dog practically lives outside all the time, or just likes to occasionally have their freedom, dog houses are a great buy for pampering pet owners. 

(my dog Bella) 

This brick estate dog house was designed by Alan Mowrer, who is known for creating the most fashionable dog houses in the world. This upscale doggie abode is estimated at $25,000 and includes running watering, lighting, air conditioning, and heat. 

This custom-made dog house will have you guessing it's a real home at first glance. It includes real materials, a wooden deck, and a bone shaped pool.

This modern dog house is a spacious cubix home that can be built for any sized dog. It is available in three sizes: small, medium, and large and sells for $5,800-$6,300 depending on size.

This mini-mansion dog home owned by the one and only Paris Hilton is any pets dream house come true. It has two floors: the downstairs consists of the living room, while upstairs there is a bedroom and a closet to stash the many outfits of her pooch’s. This pet playhouse was designed to resemble Hilton’s own home and includes mini furniture designed by Philippe Starck, as well as heat, air conditioning, and even a black crystal chandelier. The price? Only $325,000. 

I think it's safe to say most of us dog owners will be sticking to the original 4x4 plywood dog houses!

Citations

Coren, S. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201209/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-the-world

DIY: Stacked Flower Pots

Stacked flower pots are a great way to create dimension to your home garden. Maximize limited spacing for growing plants and flowers while adding a whimsical feeling. In just a few steps, you can create a tipsy-turvy planter. 

Materials: 
- One 8" clay flower pot
- Three (or more of your choice**) 6" clay flower pots 
- One 62" rebar piece 
- A bag of dirt
- Potted flowers 

**I do not recommend alternating more than five pots as it will be hard to water and the tower could become unstable.** 

Step 1: Stake your piece of rebar at least 2' into the desired location. This is very important for stability as the pots being stacked on it will be heavy with soil, water, and plants. 

Step 2: Thread the 8" clay pot through the rebar until it reaches the ground. Fill the pot with soil, leaving and inch or two at the top.


Step 3: Slide a 6" clay pot over the rod until it reaches the soil of the 8" pot and tilt it on its side. Fill the pot with soil leaving at least two inches at the top. 

Step 4: Continue stacking the 6" pots on the rod alternating the way they lean until you run out of rod. 






Step 5: Plant flowers in each pot. You may need to add a little more soil around each plant as you plant them, but leave at least an inch at the top of each pot so that when you water, the water does not run out too fast.

To water, start at the top and water slowly. Continue until all pots have been watered. Wait several minutes and repeat the process. You may need to water the tower twice a day if you live in regions above 90 degrees. 

The Rain Chain

Living in Vancouver it can get pretty wet. Annually, we receive about 1117 mm, or 44 inches of rain per year. This is equivalent to the average height of a seven year old boy or girl (Sasamat Outdoor Centre, 2010). Dealing with the rain in style may be tough, but here’s a trendy way to upscale your old gutter downspout in your yard. 

What is a rain chain? A rain chain is an appealing yet functional alternative to the more traditional gutter downspout. Guiding rainwater from your roof to the ground, this method creates a pleasing water feature with its lovely waterfall sound. 

How does a rain chain work? A rain chain works the same as a gutter downspout. Rainwater will travel down to chain where the downspout is located. From there, the rainwater will continue to travel down the chain into copper or brass cups. These cups and chains can come in many different shapes, truly making each rain chain unique. The rainwater follows the continuous pattern of traveling down from chain links to a cup until it reaches the ground. 

Why should I get a rain chain over a gutter downspout? Rain chains create a visual experience. They can be very mesmerizing and add a nice charm to your outdoor space. Also, rain chains are much more functional as they do not clog your drain system with debris and will not leave you with that annoying droplet sound. 

These little waterfalls are great for places like Vancouver who get rain 9 months out of the year. They are a great accessory for any outdoor living space. Here are a few websites that I found had the best designs: 

-   rainchains.com
-   rainchainsuperstore.com
-   hayneedle.com/rainchains

Citation
Unknown . "Get Outside - It’s Raining!" Sasamat Outdoor Centre. 20 April 2010.<https://sasamat.org/cgi/page.cgi?aid=63&_id=29&zine=sh>