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Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsJune 11, 2026 10:30am
PUPPY HIDING IN DOG HOUSE!

We received this video in April but I FORGOT to post it....and happened to come across it today....(Getting old really sucks!)

We sent 3 insulated dog houses and straw out to a family in Western Alaska. Shortly after they received the second house they sent us this video of a moose roaming through their yard. You can see one of the dogs, a sweet boy named Cujo, is hiding inside the house on the left....Poor guy must have been so scared, but he was very brave and did just the right thing and stayed tucked inside and by some miracle did not bark.

It really seems like that moose looks right at him but THANK GOODNESS that courageous puppy stayed calm and the moose moved on....(Cujo's family was also yelling from the doorway of their house to try to shoo the moose away).

Sharing this video to show that dogs living outside in Alaska face SO MANY challenges including close encounters with wildlife and having a dog house can provide SOME safety and protection for them as well as warm-ish shelter.

Who knows how this would have turned out if that poor puppy had nowhere to hide....it scares me every time I watch it....I am so proud of sweet little Cujo for being so brave and so smart!
Straw For Dogs
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsJune 9, 2026 8:08am
We got to set up a house in person yesterday! This is a rare treat for us so we really soaked it up (this is only about 1/3 of the pictures we took)! Precious and her family were very gracious and helpful throughout the process.

Sweet senior girl Precious, age 13 used to live in one of the rural communities near Fairbanks. When her owner passed away she was saved by a family member and moved to Fairbanks to live out her golden years.

Her new family reached out to get her a house for the time she spends outside. She is one of the lucky dogs who is not outside during the coldest times but she does prefer to be out when the weather is not bad. We also gave Precious a 60 ft run that her family is going to put up for her so she can wander around a bit more.

Precious was not really sure about her dog house, it took a lot of praise, chicken, liver treats, and finally our secret weapon...human "brother" Noah got inside the house to show her it was safe. Noah was the BEST helper and so friendly and kind to his dogs.

We also had to fashion a little step for her to make it easier on her 13 year old hips to get inside. In the end she could go in and out to get treats but never stayed inside for too long. We were hoping once the excitement was over she would be able to go in and relax....but when we checked in last night she was still laying in her spot in the porch...but we think she will use her house when she needs to.

Precious was incredibly sweet, she got lots of pets and love and we got lots of kisses and love back. We rarely get to set up houses for the dogs in person so we really milked our time with her...and it was so gratifying....It is nice to be reminded that every house we send out actually goes to make a difference in the life of a sweet furry little being like Precious.

PS Precious has one of our Gabe Tate houses! Built and donated by Gabe as his Eagle Scout community service project last fall.

If you know a dog who lives outside in Alaska who needs help or you would like to donate to help us help those dogs who live outside please go to www.strawfordogs.org
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsJune 8, 2026 3:42pm
We love Jeannine! She is a true hero for so many dogs!
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsJune 6, 2026 9:24am
Update on Sweet Little Kiliua!

Remember this guy? When we got his "after picture" we noticed his left eye looked like it was bothering him....

Well it took us over 3 weeks BUT...this handsome boy made it to Anchorage last Tuesday, had surgery on Wednesday, and will be flying back home early next week.

It turns out Kiliua had Entropion in his left eye. This is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward causing normal hair and lashes to scrape the eye....OUCH......(just think how uncomfortable it is when you get something in your eye).

Thanks to Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach, Inc. Kiliua had surgery on his left eye to correct the Entropion AND he was also neutered. His amazing foster in Anchorage has been updating us and says he is doing really well. He is very friendly and sweet and gets along with her other dogs.

We just wanted to post an update because we have had quite a few people reach out to see how this cutie pie was doing.

Thank you again to Lynden Air Cargo for flying a kennel out, then flying Kiliua in for vet care, and flying him back home next week. Thank you to Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach, Inc. for sending the kennel, scheduling his surgery, and covering his vet expenses. Thank you to Jeannine Faulkner for finding Kiliua a foster in Anchorage and of course thank you to THAT AMAZING foster… and of course Dr. Closter for fixing this puppy up!

It took a lot of pieces and coordinating but WE GOT HIM FIXED UP! Thanks to all of you this puppy will be going home feeling much better!

PS including some pictures of Kiliua from the back just because he is so unique, he looks like two different dogs depending on which direction you are looking from. Handsome boy!
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsMay 28, 2026 8:33pm
Happy Birthday…. We sure do miss you here in Alaska! Thank you for thinking of us ❤️
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsMay 27, 2026 7:22am
As promised last month! Straw For Dogs has been shipping out the insulated dog houses and straw which were generously sponsored by VCA CHARITIES! VCA Charities is one of the 4 amazing agencies helping us sponsor houses to dog who were affected by Typhoon Halong.

We would like to thank PetSmart Charities, ASPCA, Banfield Foundation (VCA CHARITIES), and Lotto Alaska for helping Straw For Dogs help the dogs in need.

We have been working on sending these houses out since December of 2025 in the order in which the funds were required to be spent. So we began with PetSmart Charities houses, now Banfield Foundation/VCA CHARITIES, coming up next ASPCA and Lotto Alaska.

We have just started to receive some after pictures of the VCA Charities houses..... here are a few to get us started.....more to come as we get them!

Thank you so much to ALL 4 of these generous donors who saw the need to help the dogs living outside in Alaska with either no shelter at all or damaged/inadequate shelter.

Stay tuned for more VCA CHARITIES houses followed by ASPCA and Lotto Alaska to be featured next!

Thank you to Lynden Air Cargo, Ryan Air, INC., Grant Aviation, Northern Air Cargo, and BERING AIR for helping us get these houses out to the dogs who needed them!

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how you can help

We encourage concerned citizens to work with caretakers in order to improve the life of a dog outdoors. Talk to your neighbors, offer support (not judgement) and do what you can, where you are. 

Together we can make a difference!

Straw For Dogs is a 501(c)3 organization that depends on individual donations to support our mission of providing supplies and resources for pets outdoors.

Your donation is tax deductible, meaningful and accounted for.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

how we help

NEED ASSISTANCE?

Straw For Dog assists caretakers and concerned citizens with pets outdoors in Alaska.

Do you know a dog who needs a warm, sturdy shelter? Does your own pet spend time outdoors?

We offer free supplies such as doghouses, straw, food, toys, and treats as well as resources including spay/neuter services and training advice to Alaskan residents.

Please fill out our easy, online application form found on our Application for Assistance page.

HOW WE HELP

As of May 2026

DOG HOUSES

BALES OF STRAW

See Where We’ve Made a Difference: 1000+ Dog Houses Donated Across 65 Alaskan Villages!

Kenai

Kenai was adopted from the Mat Su Animal Shelter. As he had previously been kept outdoors, his caretaker contacted us right away for help setting up a cable run and requested a doghouse to help make him comfortable while transitioning him to time in the home.  Kenai...

Niho

Niho's family contacted us for a doghouse, citing a disability in the family. Our volunteer visited and built an insulated house for her along with providing toys, straw and treats. What a cutie!

Buddy

Buddy was found by a Good Samaritan with a badly broken leg. We offered extensive veterinary care and support to this sweet boy and his rescue angel. He has healed up well and is a happy, healthy boy, living with his personal rescue angel and another dog.

Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse came to us from Anchorage Animal Care and Control. He was brought there as a young puppy with a broken leg.  Pit bull type dogs like him have limited options for rescue, so we were happy to be able to help, thanks to his long term foster...

Dozer

Dozer is a lovable lug who was in need of a safe place outdoors. Luckily, his family was open to receiving assistance and in addition to care packages with toys, treats, bowls and a new collar, volunteers were also able to build him a kennel and a warm, insulated...

Butterball and Charlie

Butterball and Charlie enjoy spending time outdoors exploring but were without a shelter. Straw For Dogs worked with their family to provide a shelter with a porch so that these sweet boys have options. We provide care takers with information about using straw instead...