DIY Network

Introducing Semba From "Barkitecture" episode DBAR-102

Semba has been adopted.

This cute little guy is named Semba and he needs a good home. For the last few weeks, he has been in the care of an animal shelter waiting for someone to fall in love with him. Well, his wait is over! Semba has been adopted. Before he can start his new life, there is some work to do...including building one cool doghouse. See it all happen in this episode of Barkitecture.

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Without question, Semba is getting a loving family.

Semba

Semba is a terrier mix who was surrendered to the animal shelter because of behavior problems. However, a great family is ready to adopt him...the Joneses. Paul and Terri Jones had a meeting with their five kids and decided it was time for a pet. So, they went to the animal shelter and immediately fell in love with Semba. When you have an animal that has been hard to place, if there is a good bond between the owners and dog things will go much better.

Dr. Karen Tobias and Kenny Alfonso are on deck to help the transition from shelter to home a little easier on Semba. Dr. Karen will offer some helpful hints and tips for training and take the Joneses out to get pet supplies. Kenny will build Semba a funky and functional doghouse.

Animal shelters and rescue organizations are overrun with lost, abandoned or unwanted animals. Too many puppies are born without homes and eventually they end up in shelters. Most shelters have a 100% spay and neuter policy. Semba is fortunate to be headed to such a loving home.

The Joneses will fill out the adoption papers, but Semba will be spending one more night at the shelter to receive his vaccinations and to be neutered. This will help him with his behavior problems.

Most behavior problems start with boredom. If dogs aren’t given something to do, they’ll find something. And, it’s usually not anything you would choose. Neutering, combined with plenty of attention, will solve most of Semba’s problems. If the Joneses establish clear boundaries regarding what’s acceptable and what’s not, Semba will learn what’s expected of him and want to please.

The plans for the tent are set in motion.

Doghouse Plans

As Kenny decides what type of doghouse he will build for Semba, he must take into consideration the size of the house and make sure it’s easy to clean. But, also, Kenny wants the house to take on Semba’s style. He sees him walking down the tracks with a hobo sack on his shoulder...a real traveling man. Why not a tent for Semba?

A tent will be easy to build and the materials won’t be expensive. The base will be made out of pressure treated 2x4s, put a wooden floor on top and the frame can be made from copper tubing. The outer surface will be three pieces of oiled canvas, one each for the front and back walls and one for the top and sides. Copper rivets will hold the whole thing together. Semba is only 17-1/2 inches tall to shoulders, so the tent will be small enough to pick up and clean or just to move around. A perfect home for a traveling dog!

Barkitecture Tidbit:

• Even though dogs vary greatly in appearance, they are identical in anatomy. They have 321 bones and 42 permanent teeth.

RESOURCES :

Young-Williams Animal Center
Website: www.knoxpets.org

The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Website: www.aspca.org

Petfinder.com
Website: www.petfinder.com