Back in the day, we poor folk made dog houses from abandoned 50 gallon barrels. They were rusty, cold, and crude, but they lasted forever. The folks at K-9 Kondo have taken that old design and done it one better, with one model built around a plastic 50 gallon drum that is comfortable, warm, rust proof and, like the originals, will also last forever.

But it's their upscale Dog Dens that really shine. These are state of the art dog houses that are insulated, lightweight, chew-proof, UV protected, and have weather-tight Kennel Doors and removable lids for cleaning. Some models have optional heating units, something even your mother-in-law would approve of. Best of all, Dog Dens come with a five-year guarantee.

Contact: K-9 Kondo, Inc.; (800) 779-3546; www.k-9kondo.com