Thursday, March 31, 2016

A NEW CRATE FOR MAGGIE

Well, as you can see
Maggie Ann is a big girl.
Here she is with her favorite (big) bone.




And one of her balls.
I'm watching you Mr. Ball.


Here she is in her crate. 
She was in need of larger living quarters.
I investigated buying the next size up for her which would
have worked for her size perfectly.
But the size was a few inches too big for where her crate is located.


So the only other option was to custom build her a crate.
So that is what I did.
 I had to rebuild it a couple of times actually.
I'll explain later.
So lets get started. 
I bought porch pickets for the frame because they would be sturdy enough
without being as big as a 2x4.


I measured many times for the exact width and length 
that would fit in her space.
I had to make sure I could slide the barn door
open and close without a problem.
So here's the framework of the crate.



I recycled the turquoise doors that I had used
for Cocoa and Tilly's condo.
After Tilly died, Cocoa always slept on the bed with us
so I didn't need the corner condo anymore.


Here's a sweet pic of our big girl
keeping me company one day when I
was sick in bed.


For the flooring of her crate I decided to use
some left over wood flooring we had used on
another house project.


I turned it upside down and attached it to the bottom of the frame.


Here's a look inside of the crate.
I don't know of many dogs that have hardwood flooring in their crates.
Remember when I said I built it a couple of times, well
when I got ready to move it into place
the flooring protruded just enough that I couldn't get it through the door way.
(Words were said people)


But she's worth it.
She's such a pretty girl!


I also used the flooring on the top.
I didn't make it solid because I wanted her to see some light
and have ventilation.
I also didn't add the top until everything fit properly in the space.



I forgot to mention that I wrapped the frame in hardware cloth.
I forgot to take pictures of that. 
It's kinda hard to see her but she's sitting up in there.


I love my bone.


You might notice that the frame is not symmetrical anymore.
It started out that way but when I moved it into place (again)
the barn door wouldn't slide open and close properly. I had not allowed for
the wire and screws that protruded (just a little) but enough.
So once again I took one side apart and cut it off.
Leaving just one side lite.
(I said a few more words again.)




But finally, it was in place and finished.
The barn door can slide open and close without any problems.
I think she's happy.


And Maggie can sit up, stand up and stretch out with any problems.


 She is worth all the work to make that happen.


Here she is watching for squirrels.




Hope you have sweet dreams pretty girl.



I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

 Psalm 121:1 & 2

15 comments:

  1. Maggie is absolutely adorable! She really does deserve the best and her new room is perfect! You did a great job on it and looks like something you don't mind being in any room of the house because it looks like furniture. THis is awesome! Love the maggie and ball picture .... melt your heart sweet! i hope you have a great day!
    Smiles!
    Terry
    The Curator's Collection & Making Broken Beautiful

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  2. Maggie is absolutely adorable!!!!
    And that is a great crate! I would love to make something like that!

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  3. Maggie is a lucky dog. I was so happy when our dogs were trained well enough that we didn't need to close the doors anymore when we left. Buck liked his crate so much he would go downstairs and lay in it to get away from us and have some peace and quiet. Teddy prefers the bedroom.

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  4. Wow Maggie is one lucky dog! I ove the crate you made her!
    Thanks for sharing this at Cooking and Crafting with J&J!

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  5. The crate looks awesome and Maggie is the cutest! Thanks so much for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!

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  6. That looks like a big job. I am not a fan of working with hardware cloth, it's ready hard to get laying straight, for me, but you did a great job. If we lived closer I might talk you into a lesson on handling it. Maggie's pen is lovely and much nicer that one of those store bought ones. Great job! She looks like such a sweetheart :)

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  7. There is nothing to good for our sweet dogs that give us such love
    I know Maggie loves her new crate for quite time

    I couldn't have built that crate in one year and would have cut a finger off LOL

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  8. What a cute pup! Love the crate you made for Maggie--thanks for sharing at Two Uses Tuesday:).

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  9. Awwwww...this is so neat! :)

    I would love for you to share this at my Facebook Group for Recipes, Crafts, and Tips and Tricks!!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  10. What a cutie! She looks like she's loving her new custom crate. Thanks for sharing with us at Talk of the Town.

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  11. Maggie is so cute she deserves all the trouble about her new crate! I am happy to know I am not the only one who says words when the project doesn't go as well as I planned...

    Thanks for sharing at Two Uses Tuesday, and I would love to invite you to share this with us at our new Sweet Inspiration party, http://sweethings.net/sweet-inspiration-link-party1/

    Have a wonderful week!

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  12. Maggie is a beautiful fox red Labrador?? I have a one year FRL and love your idea for the crate. They are so deserving!!

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    Replies
    1. She's actually 1/2 golden retriever and 1/2 golden lab. And yes I agree, she is deserving. Although she will eat everything like a goat she is a sweetie. I love her.

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  13. It looks lovely, and what a great idea. Thanks for linking up to the Homestead Blog Hop last week!

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  14. Oh, goodness! Maggie is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at the Anything Blue Friday party! Here is the link to this week's bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/04/anything-blue-friday-week-108.html Hope to see you again at the little, blue soiree! Have a lovely weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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