My pups new kennel

[Backcountry]

I have a 17 week old female puppy, “Bailey” (black lab & springer spaniel cross) and I completed her outdoor kennel in the backyard last week.

Ingredients:
Chain link fencing panels (designed to be a dog kennel) 6’ x 10’ = $200.00
2 ½ tons of base rock = $50.00
1 ton of concrete sand = $20.00
Surveying twine = $2.50
10 feet of 1” PVC pipe for screeding = $2.00
2x4 for screeding = already had
Stakes = already had
Pavers = freebie!
Paver sealant = freebie!
Sealant sprayer = free loaner
Armstrong 8”x8” tamper = free loaner
Sweat equity = priceless

It took me several days start-to-finish (dig hole, tamp, fill, tamp, fill, tamp, sand, screed, lay, tamp, sweep jointing sand & tamp x 8, seal, enjoy) but all-in-all I figure no more than 20 man-hours total (and I ain’t no laborer). Now that I know what I'm doing, the next paving project (a 12’x20’ patio) should go much faster.

The kennel area is shaded by the sun-shade in the morning and by the tree above during the day. I’m concerned that even in the shade it will be too hot in the heat of the summer. When it really warms up in a few months I’m hoping (1) I have “escape proofed” the entire backyard, and (2) have installed a doggie-door into the cool garage. For now she’s got a place outside that she likes. We aren’t quite ready to turn her loose in the house for long-periods unattended (can you say “bad doggie”?).

I want to give a shout-out of the sincerest thanks to Campcook50 for graciously “donating” the pavers, the edging, the sealant, the tamper, and a fair amount of “how do I do this” instruction. Bailey says “woof” (thanks in dog-speak) too!

Backcountry

[campcook50]

John,
You and Brandy did a great job on the kennel! Keep it up and
local folks will hire you as their paver installer!
Seriously, you spent the time to do it right...that's all the
thanks that I need!
Bailey is a lucky girl!

[rtin]

Very nicely done.