Just call them 'Animal Angels'

After two active years, Linda Smith of New London and Marjorie Davis of Mediapolis are the Animal Angels. Between them they connect people who are in need of doghouses, with households who no longer need one.

Since their first placement of a doghouse, they have supplied homes for 33 dogs in the Henry, Jefferson, Des Moines and Louisa County area.

Last week, when the MP News caught up with them, they were set to deliver an igloo doghouse, donated from Mt. Pleasant after the homeowner went into a nursing facility. The receiving family lost a doghouse earlier this year in a flood in Oakville right on a Mississippi River tributary.

The pair readily admits they are devoted dog lovers. Animal Angels started when they heard of a family whose dog needed an outdoor shelter. They knew of another family that had just lost their dog and connected the excess with the need. Immediately afterward, other doghouses were donated and before they knew it, Animal Angels became an outreach of sorts, although their work is not directly linked to any church.

"I think God just wanted us in this kind of ministry," said Davis. Both women have health concerns, but said the means for transporting large doghouses just at the time they need it is always provided. They use every avenue of free advertising they can find to keep the offer of doghouses in front of people.

They rely on volunteer help, since all of their time, labor, phone calls and gas for transportation is equally given freely. They have recently been given other materials, straw for the initial bedding for the new doghouse inhabitant, plus food and other items. A local veterinarian last week donated several cases of dog chews to hand out to the receiving families.

The women noted that although delivering doghouses isn't apparently a huge humanitarian effort, it does mean something to those who receive a house.

On this day, the John and Linda Howe household received the Mt. Pleasant igloo doghouse. The recipient, a three-year-old white German Sheppard, greeted the delivery crew.

"I think the dogs know they are getting a new home," said Smith. "They just seem to look happy."

After the doghouse was placed, the straw, dog food and chews were delivered and photos taken, a teary-eyed Linda Howe thanked the Animal Angels. "This is like, heaven sent," Howe said. She added that she was looking through an area shopper for ads for buying firewood, when she read the Animal Angels' ad.

Howe's son Josh said the doghouse was essential winter soon sets in.

"Shepherds are outside dogs," he said. "And this one has a short bladder," he explained, indicating she has to be let outside often.

Smith said she always rests easier the night of a delivery knowing that another dog has a place out of the elements. She also knows there are many other dogs without homes, but said that she and Davis do what they can and that has to be enough.

Smith and Davis said they are hoping for others to come alongside to provide transportation of doghouses.

Clients of the alcohol and drug dependency center in

Burlington is volunteering to make five doghouses for them. A Burlington Girl Scout has also made one as a community service project.

After delivering to the Oakville household, there were four other doghouses in Davis' garage, three of which were already earmarked for delivery.

In the future, they hope to establish a fund to help pet owners spay and neuter their animals.