DoggyStyle: On Building a Dog Kissing Booth

 We all know Miss M is typically not impressed. Though the one thing that really makes her smile....meeting people and giving them smooches. You can see our little kissing bandit in action here.
This weekend Miss M's rescue group New Leash on Life Chicago, a 100% volunteer-run rescue, is celebrating their 500th dog! They are gathering all supporters, alumni, and anyone interested in learning more about the group to an event at a dog-friendly bar with a great outdoor space for grilling, drinking, a raffle, and debut of the new merchandise.
Knowing Miss M has a talent for smooching, she decided to use her skills to raise awareness and donations to help rescue more pups like herself, SuperLevi, Bessie Belle, and Boris the Bachelor. We had seen doggy kissing booths across the web, and we thought we would try building our own. Our booth is still awaiting final decorations, but this is what we figured out:

Dimensions:

We had the dogs practice sitting on a bench, and we measured that a comfortable space for them would be about 4 feet wide. We also measured that the dogs' average height is about 2 feet sitting or standing. Based on these measurements, we wanted to make the booth high enough where the dogs' faces would be the same height as an average person.  We built a platform that was 3 feet high, so when the dogs sat up straight they would be at human level. The surrounding painted walls are a foot higher than the platform (4 feet) to create the wall.
We were able to go to Home Depot (dog-friendly!) where they cut the boards to the heights we estimated. The workers were very, very helpful discussing the idea and the measurements we made.
We found some of the materials in their scrap wood section. We used the thiner boards for the sides, but we made sure the platform was reinforced with a thick base. One important thing we learned is to make sure the boards are cut as a size to fit into our car.

Making it Comfortable for the Pooches:

(Inside view of the Kissing Booth)

We wanted make a type of bench that was high enough for the pooches to peer out, but also long enough for them to lay down. We're going to put a bed or blanket on the platform to make it even more comfortable. We made a type of table using a thick plywood board (3/4 inch) supported by 2 x 4's which were screwed into the side walls for extra support.

(Platform table being reinforced by the walls)

Transport and Decorations:

These photos are still of the booth as a work in progress. When assembled, it's much too big to fit into our car, so we need to take it apart and rebuild it at the event. E wrote on the back of each board to remember which board is the front, left and right side and the top vs. the bottom. With the holes already in place he is just bringing the drill and screwing them in.
Once at the event, we thought we could either use colored circular stickers or paint over the screws to help them blend in. One of the volunteers is also currently working on painting the "Kissing Booth" sign at the top. And maybe a banner. Check out our facebook page for our final product!

We are keeping the pooches safety and comfort in mind. They have practiced sitting in the assembled booth. The booth at the event will also be away from the other action and dogs. And of course we will be watching to make sure they remain comfortable.

If you are in the Chicagoland area, we would love to see you at the event! You can find more information here on New Leash on Life's Facebook page.
PS. We know former fosters SuperLevi and Boris the Bachelor will also be attending!