Giving Back: DIY Dog Leash Holder and DIY Cat Scratch Post #PAW2014

I regularly make trips to Tractor Supply.  Although I like to say, "I live in the middle of nowhere" I do have two TSC's within 30 minutes of me.  I frequent them for cat food, chicken feed, other chicken and guinea fowl supplies, dog treats and toys, and items needed to maintain seven acres.

I love these Guinea Fowl, but sometimes they drive me nuts.

The TSC's local to me frequently offer low cost vaccine clinics, which I think is fantastic.  They offer a variety of products to to help people care for both livestock and their family pets, including high quality foods, leashes, collars, crates, toys, and health supplies.

Tractor Supply hosts a yearly event, Pet Appreciation Week (PAW), during which they celebrate people and their pets.  This year it takes place September 17-21, with in-store events on September 20.

I (Rebekah) was asked by Tractor Supply to create something for a shelter using supplies found at Tractor Supply, and was given a spending budget of $25.

I did not have to think twice about which shelter I would give my crafts to.  Greenfield-Hancock Animal Management (GHAM) in Greenfield, Indiana gave me a wonderful gift by allowing me to adopt Faolan.  I try to give back to them as much as I can.  The staff there is beyond amazing, and have become some very dear friends of mine.

What did $25 get me at Tractor Supply?

Shopping List

• (1) 5.75" treated landscape timber-$10.49
• (1) 500 foot roll of sisal twine-$5.99
• (1) 3-pack of ceiling hooks-$1.99
• (1) pack of screw eyes-$1.99
• (1) 1.5 quart galvanized pail-$2.99

I came up with ideas for both cats and dogs using these items.  Instructions follow.

I began both projects by using a miter saw to cut up the landscape timber.  I cut 10 rounds of approximately 1/2" each, and a larger piece of approximately 18".

DIY Rustic Dog Leash Holder

This was quick and easy to make.  I staggered seven of the rounds I cut, and secured them using 1" nails.  I then screwed the ceiling hooks into the bottom of three front rounds, to hold the pail, leashes, treat bag, etc.  The pail can be used to hold dog treats, human treats, or whatever they see fit. I finished this by screwing eye rounds into the top, so it can be placed upon nails that are nailed into a wall.

This item could be painted or stained, but I personally like the rustic appearance of it.

DIY Rustic Cat Scratch Post

GHAM (and I) also have kitties, so I did not want them to feel left out.  

To make this, I secured three of the rounds to the larger piece of landscape timber using 2" nails.  I then secured the end of the sisal twine to the larger piece of the timber using a staple.  Next came the most tedious part of both of these projects-I wrapped the sisal twine around the landscape timber, creating three layers of twine, and secured the end using a staple.  

I had plenty of sisal twine left over, so I am thinking a shorter roll could have easily been used.

This can either be placed upright, or on it's side.

Nosy Juice kitty had to immediately check it out.

 I had a ton of fun creating these, and it is close to my heart because I am able to give them to a group of people who are very important to me, who work so hard to help the animals in their community.  

I was impressed by how easy it was to create projects benefiting a shelter using supplies from Tractor Supply, a small amount of money, and a bit of ingenuity.

This post is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and the Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Tractor Supply Company, but My Rotten Dogs only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Tractor Supply Company is not responsible for the content of this article.

Faolan's Wednesday-the vet, a visit to the shelter, and creek stomping

Faolan had his yearly wellness visit this morning.  He goes to a different office than Neeko and Bruce.  When I adopted him last summer, I had to prepay for his rabies vaccination, using one of the vet offices that the shelter had an affiliation with.  I chose the one closest to my home, but still about a 35 minute drive away.  Unbeknownst to both me and the shelter staff, when I adopted Faolan, his testicles had not yet descended, so he was neutered there as well.
This morning we saw Dr. J, one of two vets in the practice.  In the past we have seen Dr. B, but he is off on Wednesdays.  Dr. J was nice, and thorough. 
Faolan received rabies, distemper, and bordatella vaccinations.  He handled them like a champ.  He did demonstrate a bit of anxiety, whining and pacing, but was very well behaved, and super friendly with everyone.
Since we were going to be in the area, I contacted the shelter I adopted him from, asking if it was ok to bring him with me when I swung by to drop off some food for their food pantry, and treats for the shelter dogs.  They were thrilled at the prospect of seeing him.  Steve, our trainer friend, who is affiliated with the shelter, got word that we were going to be there, so he made a point to be there as well. 

 The food, treats, and toy we dropped off at the shelter

Faolan was very well-behaved at the shelter.  Their office is separate from the kennels.  He loved on everyone, and charmed everyone.  Most of the staff knew him from his time there, and were excited to see him.  He was great with visitors and volunteers who stopped in the office.  Linda gave him a pig ear, and he was in heaven. 

Steve arrived about 25 minutes after we did, and Faolan was SO excited to see him.  He tried to crawl in his lap, and licked and nibbled his face. 

I have mentioned it before, but I adore the staff at the shelter we adopted Faolan from. 

We visited with Steve, Linda and other staff for over an hour.  While there, Linda shared some stories and examples of horrible pet owners, and the stories she hears when an animal is being surrendered.  Some made me shake my head in amazement of the ignorance of people.

 Good boy, chilling on the floor of the shelter office

After leaving the shelter, we headed to our favorite park, for some hiking and creek playing.  I was wearing shorts and my Keens, so I got in the water with him.  It was hot today, so the water was nice.

I had him on a 30 foot training leash while playing in the creek.  Several times he was in water deep enough to require actual swimming.  He put his entire head under water on several occasions.  Northern breeds and wolfdogs seem to have a different swimming style than a lab or other retriever.  Labs that I have seen swimming frequently have the front half of their body up out of the water.  My crew's back all remain level, and there swimming appears more effortless, and much more fluid.

Durr face.  I adore this silly, sweet boy

Shake it out!

I made him pose on this fallen tree.  He doesn't look thrilled

We had a great time, and he was thoroughly exhausted, having missed his morning nap.

I snapped this pic right before we left the park.  Two minutes later, he was asleep.

We had a great time on our adventures today.

Unfortunately, I ended up back at the vets' office this evening, because of Faolan...

(Everything is "ok", I will explain tomorrow)

Donation Delivery

I watch sales, clearance, and get online coupons for decent quality dog foods to deliver to GHAM, the shelter we donated Faolan from. They keep a food pantry for the public, if times are tough and someone needs assistance. I also pick up treats for the shelter dogs, and donate the subscription box toys we cannot use to be sent home with newly adopted dogs.

My awesome neighbors knew I was going out there today, and Marcie had some food and treats for them as well!

I took several bags of dog kibble.



A few bags of cat kibble.



Some dog treats and toys. I actually stopped at a feed and seed by my house and got some more treats.



Several cans of kitten food that I purchased on clearance for $0.20 per can.






I also took some candy for the humans.

While there, I snapped a couple of shelter dogs' pics, as I have a friend who is contemplating rescuing another dog.






There are many ways to help. Adopt, foster, transport, network, donate, volunteer.

Some day, I would love to be able to foster, but for now, I help by donating and networking.
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A receipt I'm actually proud of...

I like to take food, treats, and toys to the shelter we adopted Faolan from. They're a great group of people. So when I'm out, if I spy something that's a good deal, I pick it up. At Pet Supplies Plus today, they had 11 lb bags of Canyon Creek Ranch dog food on clearance. Taped to each bag was a $10 off coupon. I also picked up a couple other items. My savings was more than I spent!


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Kibble Donation

Heading to Southside Animal Shelter to drop off some kibble.



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