The HOWS Project - Houses of Wood and Straw

As the weather gets colder and the leaves start falling, we are reminded it is time to move indoors.

We are preparing to take shelter and find comfort where it is warm and out of the elements. That brings me to the purpose of today's post. 

I had a local business to feature today but I have shifted my focus (won't be the last time). Instead I want to talk about what happens outside the home and an organization dedicated to helping those who don't get to share the indoors. 

That organization is HOWS 

"The HOWS Project is a community service project which exists to construct wooden dog houses and deliver them, along with bales of straw bedding and other essential items, to outside dogs in Charlottesville and surrounding counties in need of more appropriate outdoor shelter.

Unfortunately, too many dogs find themselves outside alone, at the end of a chain or in a tiny pen, and without appropriate shelter.
The HOWS Project strives to educate people about the needs of dogs; and, for those dogs who must spend much or all of their time outside, we provide more comfortable shelter than what they would have had otherwise."

Today's newsletter from Stacey Norris, founder of HOWS, included the following story: (the below was a situation they found yesterday, Nov. 2 2013)

One dog in particular is in desperate need – with no one home we helped ourselves to investigate the surroundings.  What we found was so very sad; a sweet beagle with barely any water, poop surrounding his living space, an old piece of indoor/outdoor carpet as his “bed”, and an dog carrier – turned on its side and out of reach of his short chain – which I assume is what his human might call his “house”.  So we set things up as best we could for him short term -- moved the carrier within reach and filled it with straw and filled his water bucket.  We also left a note for his human.  I best get a call back as it will get ugly fast if s/he does not reach out to me this week…  In the meantime “beagle boy” will be a bit more comfortable tonight than he was last night.

It is this story that prompted me to write this blog. There is so much to learn, so many ways to help and the best way for you to learn more is to visit the website (see above) and become involved. Send money, provide supplies, volunteer your time, speak-up

Let's do our part, let's make a difference. 

The animals thank you so much...