DIY DOG DEN IN A VAN | Preparing for Van Life with 2 Senior Dogs | Sprinter Van Build w/ Dog Fort
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 เม.ย. 2021
- We're building our own tiny home on wheels to travel the world with our dogs! A DIY dog den in a van?!? Heck, YES. Our two rescue pups are now 10 and 13 and we want them to be as comfortable as possible so we are building a custom space for our 2 senior dogs. This is a lesbian van life build you don't want to miss.
Watch the build from the beginning: bit.ly/2YO4Zss
We're building an off grid tiny home and on top of that we're building on a budget! Are we crazy to tear apart our first camper van build? Yup, but we think these new improvements will be worth it. We didn't film much of our first DIY van conversion so we are very excited to be documenting how two amateurs do a Sprinter van build on a budget. Watch as Towanda 2.0 comes to life!
Inspired by our friends Jess and Sarah @Uphill Adventure , this week we are making a diy dog den in the space under our bed, complete with dog bed, storage shelves and space for food, water and toys! Van life with a senior dog doesn't have to be hard. Building our own house with our dogs in mind ensures they will be comfortable when we hit the road again. Van life with dogs is awesome!
We're also super excited to announce a partnership with Battleborn Batteries! Stay tuned, we will be installing a brand new electrical system in just a couple weeks.
Check out Battleborn here: battlebornbatteries.com/
Also in this video:
Mini Copper Fan: amzn.to/3ai3PeR
Cheers,
Nat and Abi
Bear + Peluche
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CONNECT WITH US
INSTAGRAM @letsplayrideandseek : bit.ly/368lq7v
BLOG letsplayrideandseek.com
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WHO ARE WE?
We are Nat & Abi, a lesbian couple from the USA, and together with our rescue dogs, Bear + Peluche, we make a family. In 2018 we turned Towanda, a 2004 Sprinter Van, into an off grid tiny home on wheels so that we could travel the world! Our goal is to inspire others to live their own dreams, whether that is van life or something else!
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ALL LOVE, NO HATE
We love our LGBTQ+ friends and have founded a platform for queer nomads, check out @VANLIFEPRIDE on INSTAGRAM.
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~ Favorite VAN LIFE items ~
Hatchet ~ amzn.to/2Z5ZgQ1
Geyser Systems Portable Shower : www.geysersystems.com/?wpam_id=5
~ Plumbing & Water ~
Fresh Water Tank ~ amzn.to/366QcMu
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Music Credits
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Lets Play Ride and Seek
#vanbuild #Vanlife #natandabi
Lol the creativity you use to make this a home! I love the wood burned art. Really beautiful! Enjoy the down time you have with your friend!
You’ll probably see more wood burning... Abi is OBSESSED!
Thank you!
Puppers are going to love their new bed
They love the space! We can’t wait to outfit it with a new cozy bed! Love our fur babies
LOVE watching you two spoil your dogs! The build looks awesome!! 😍
Thank you!
We love our pups and seeing them happy makes it worth it
Yep you gotta spoil the seniors, always good stay safe cheers from Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
True. Senior dog gets what he wants.
Cheers to you Barry!
It’s the symbol Hindus use for OM. I saw it used all the time when I was in Bali a few years ago. Great progress this week! Love how you are thinking about the health and comfort of your senior pups. 💕
We were 90% sure it was OM but wanted clarification! Awesome
We love our pups!
Your babies are so blessed to have you as parents. They are living the life
They’re lucky to have us as much as We are lucky to have them!
Your attention to detail is amazing. Tawanda is going to be next level. I’m currently recovering from a debilitating illness (autoimmune diseases are no joke) so I’m binge watching your channel and you are crushing that build! In fact I’m borrowing her name to remind me of my strength as a woman to power through! Thank you so much for an awesome channel. Tawanda!!!!
Thanks for watching! We’re so happy our channel is bringing you joy! Keep repeating Towanda and you’ll power through. You’ve got this!
Love you girl, Bear and Peluche! Always enjoy your videos.
Thank you! We enjoy sharing with you.
Y’all crack us UP! Congratulations on completing the 🚽!!!! So sorry it took so much out of you, but glad to see you persevered. Van is looking incredible 🤩
Who knew a 🚽 would be so tricky? Lol.
Thanks friends!
Lovin the plant!! They look amazing, well all your hard work looks amazing, but the pop of green here and there, it’s awesome!!
More plants! 🍀
We agree, the pops of green are lovely, just what we wanted!
First time visiting your channel and first video I've watched of yours. Two questions: 1) Will you adopt me? 😊 2) (not a question entirely, more like a request) Promise me you'll stay together forever? You made me happy in the midst of losing my house and that's no small feat. Sending mad love to you both and kisses for the puppy dogs. Blessings always. 🥰💖
Welcome to the family! We make you an honorary adoptee 😉
Sorry you’re going through the process of losing your home, that’s rough.
Sending you love and hugs during this time!
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek Yay, I'm adopted. 😉 It is incredibly tough (never in my wildest dreams, certainly wasn't in "the plan"). Thank you for the love and hugs - that means sooo much.
The doggie space is awesome and the fan is so cute 😍 be safe you two. See you next week.
They love their fort and that makes it all worth it! Thank you!
My dog looks so much like Bear. She is 15 and one month today!
Be safe you guys and bless you for caring for the animals
Oh my goodness
Am so impressed by your craftsmanship.
Am so proud of you beautiful ladies.
Thank you!! We are equally impressed with what we’ve pulled off
Virtual hug!! 👓❤👓
Thank you! Sending hugs back!
You two are silly. Fun watching you both on your strong points.
Silly indeed! We love to laugh. Thanks for watching!
Happy to report that Nat got her massage as promised! Thanks everyone for the encouragement.
We’re getting closer to the finish line, but first a little work building a space for Bear and Peluche.
If anyone has ideas on movable/foldable steps for the dogs.... let us know in the comments! Also we are 99% sure the symbol on the knob means OM but would love to know for sure...
Cheers,
Nat and Abi
Yes, the stamp you all turned into a knob is indeed Om, the sound of creation. It's upside down the way you all showed it in the video but I mean it works!
I don’t understand how you guys don’t have more subscribers?! Come on people, support LGBTQ van-lifers. Great update, the dog nook is perfect.
Quality over quantity. We’ve got quality subscribers. 😉 Appreciate you!
Thanks for watching.
Yes I totally agree!
🕉 for Om or AUM it's the sound of the vibration in all things. It is the sound of the universe.
We thought it was Om but didn’t want to say so in case we were totally off!
Yeah my two favourites lol ... we have 3 dogs, and appreciate how important they are in our lives. Betty our horse lorry will have doggie luxury too. Looking fantastic as always ladies - sending massive virtual hugs from Scotland again 🏴💕
Pups are family! They gotta have a little luxury too. Sending you XO’s from SC!
Great video, the room for the dogs is such a good idea- I loved the sequence with both dogs together in their room. The build really is staring to look very good, nice work from the both of you- and I would kiss Abi as well if I got the chance 🤗😉💖💖💐💐
The dogs are so cute together! They love their new room!
Thanks for watching! Hugs 🤗
I love the live edge countertops. If you still have the end you cut off I’d use it as a flip up. I’m sure there are risers that can hold the weight. The bears den is awesome. Even the toys are within their reach. Lil P is a chick magnet and who wouldn’t kill for a Bear hug? I think I’m gonna make some burnt wood coasters. Love the look of it. Feelin like a whole new home. See ya next week. Cheers from Canader eh!
Living for this live edge... definitely going to make use of the cut off. We do have a flip up in mind. Burnt wood coasters sound amazing... okay now we wanna make some.
Bear and Peluche love their little den. It’s just perfect for them!
See you next Sunday!
Awesome video as usual great tutorial, funny and love the bloopers!
So glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for watching!
U should make a full mattress like the one on ur bench so he can lay down on it down there... A custom fitted cushion for down there so they both can lay down there comfortably... Plus it seems as tho he likes that cushion better. And also move the dog food to under the bed more... Maybe make a little door in their fort that leads to the back and make a small compartment for the food.. So they have the whole floor in the fort with the custom cushion covering the whole floor.
So many good ideas!
You r bloopers are halarious!
Thank you! Love to laugh
Amazing guys!!! i'm so excited for those pups, they are gonna love it!
Thank you! We love our pups, gotta spoil them!
Nat I'm with you on thing for 4 eyed girls 🤣 TIDY! as always! 👌
Haha... you know what’s up. 🤓
Great projects 👍 you've got my mind churning with ideas. For bear, I saw in another video (A tiny house) where the bottom drawer pulled out And there was a sliding board on top of it. She could pull open the drawer then pull out the slider on top of it for a step up.
Oooh nice idea!! Thank you!
Virtual hug coming your way !!! 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you!
@LetsRidePlayAndSeek The dogs 🐕 got their castle 🏰 Good deal! ✅
My senior dogs 50 - 80lbs never had an interest or desired to use a ramp. They preferred that I, assist them with getting into trucks or walking up steep stairs.
I believe builds a strong bond & lasting memories. At least for me. Enjoy 😉 Cheers!
That’s a good perspective! Like that. We are more than happy to assist these sweet pups.
HEY, LADIES! I ran into your journey/life on Yahoo earlier today, and I've been watching the transformation of Towanda 2.0. I had to log in to youtube to comment. (I NEVER log in to youtube!) You both and your videos are wonderful! You made me smile and laugh for hours, which I definitely needed.
You are both so talented and determined, and I love your dedication to the comfort of your senior dogs. And your love for each other! I would have loved Towanda 2.0 with potty and shower for myself ages ago, OMG soooo long ago when I only had two cats and rented...but I've had my adventures, and a different lifestyle, and I've really enjoyed what you've shared of yours.
I wish you all the best in all things! Love from Jane, parrots, and cats
Thanks for taking the time and effort to leave us this comment! It made our day to read this. Thank you! 💛
Lovely couple and dogs
💛🐾
Looking good!!!!
Thank you!!
Looking great💕💕💕
Thank you!! 🥰
Hugs and kisses... Love watching you love...
Thank you! Sending you some XO’s 🥰
virtual hug :)
Thank you!!! 🥰
I’m a new subscriber, I am really enjoying your journey together Natalie and Abigail. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs and best wishes from the land of Oz 🇦🇺🦘🦘
Thanks for subscribing and welcome to our channel! Happy to have you here. It makes us happy that you’re enjoying our journey and our story here.
this is all soo cool! you two are doing such an amazing job!
Thank you!!!
Omg it’s looking sooooooo dope. And those batteries!!!! What!!!! Congrats dudes!
Thank you! We are beyond excited!!
Looking good. Hate dope
Loving it
Thank you!
U should do some kind of slide out ramp that comes out from under the cushion of the couch. Have it on a henge that will let it slide at a angle once it is out n then u can slide it back in under the cushion
Brilliant idea! That would work. Thanks!
Wow,,,,all's home is looking so Awesome
Thank you so much 😊
Right on! Battleborne is 👍😍
They are awesome! So excited!
I am going to do this in my sticks and bricks ! Thanks gals! ✌🏻❤️
Om, ultimate reality, consciousness 🕉🙏🏽
I love the den/palace for your babies! 😍👏🏽👏🏽
Yesssss! We thought it was OM but weren’t sure. Happy it is!
So fun!! Way to go friends. Ollie is very excited for Bear & Peluche to live the bunk bed life ❤️❤️
Thanks for the inspiration friends! Bear and Peluche can’t wait to meet up with Ollie out on the road! 🐾🚐
We have a dog toy box. They empty it faster than a child with a Lego box (caltrops on bear feet! 😜)
We also bought 4 buttons the dogs can press and you can record a short message, so one say “want dinner”, another “want treat”, 3 “want out”
What?! That is so cool! Do they use the buttons appropriately?
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek yes and no... My staffy abuses the ‘want treat’ button. So much so that she will carry it in her mouth, bringing it up stairs put it on the pillow and repeatedly paw it beside our head...
Our poodle, used to try to bring us the water dish if it was empty, it’s ceramic and weighs about the same as him. Now he uses the water button.
Awww how cute!!
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek only took them a day to work out the buttons. We got a 4 pack from Amazon, search recordable buttons is interested
Great job on the doggy den! Love the upgrades...not a fan of plastic foliage, but it does add some color. I have a senoir dog too. So nice to see you guys thinking of their needs as they get older. Keep up the good work!
We would much prefer real plants but we tried having plants in the van our first 2 years and they died, so our solution is the most real-looking fake plants. LOL.
Our pups are family and we really want them to be comfortable !
Thanks for watching.
That’s such a good idea. I bets it’s quieter in there too.
Thank you so much for sharing this journey. I love that you share your joys and your frustrations and please stay a lot weird:) Also...thank you for the beautiful comment you left for the Vanwives. ❤️
We do weird well. Lol.
The loss of Lee is so tragic, so devastating for anyone to hear , we know her and Jaz were BF so our hearts go out to them.
Gotta take care of those pups nice job on the doggie den thanks for sharing
We love our fur babies!
I love how much thought you ladies put into every square inch of the van, it's looks fantastic!
Thank you!! It really feels like us! Love our cabin on wheels vibe!
Bearsden, is a town in Scotland 🏴. Good to think a little bit of Scotland travels with you 😘
Oooh we love that!
Congrats on the battle-born partnership! Thats dope. You guys are going to have a crazy system this time around. I’m loving the dog den. Cute but still a functional space.
We are beyond excited!! We’ll be off grid for weeks....
Storage plus cozy area for the dogs? It’s a win win
That ohm symbol 🕉️ is seen a lot in Hindu practices and heard pretty commonly in the yoga community. It's the vibration of life within you and me, nature, life itself. When mediating try breathing in super deep and slowly expelling an ohm (ah-um) to experience the full vibration effect coming from within. 🥰🤗🥰💖👍
I love Sunday’s and sitting with coffee watching you two!
Yay! Thanks for joining us!!
You know how people make those slide out tables right? What if you made a slide out ramp? Instead of just being suspended in the air it could go to the ground to make it easier for the pups to get to raised areas, and then slide back in when not in use?
Also was thinking how nesting tables may be a good inspiration for stairs, if each step slides under the one above it when not in use that might work?
Great ideas! Hmmmmm. Now you got us thinking... thank you!
alright Battlebornbatteries! You are my 'theroes' for supporting my sheroes! I'm building out soon and am getting them. Speaking of sponsors...hey Nat and Abi, do you get a kick back from ordering on Amazon yet? I need to know asap.thanks, love the den! Oma and Alo
Love BattlebornBatteries! Such an amazing company to collaborate with.
Yes, we do get a tiny commission if you use our Amazon links in the video description. Appreciate your asking!
Hope you and Alo are having an awesome day.
Yay i was right... I guessed it last VIDEO... U ladies are just so awesome
You were right!! You must love animals as much as we do. 😊
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek literally not lying when i tell u that my whole entire life revolves around nothing but animals.... Do not ask me how many fur babies i have cause people think its crazy when i tell them.. But my house don't look like it or smell like it so i can have as many as i want lol
That’s awesome! We love animals.
Van is too small to have more than we currently have though. Lol.
We want a little rescue farm one day.
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek that is exactly wat i want... A piece of land build my own home and homestead and i will have a rescue shelter built also
That’s the dream!
Just found you 2 gorgeous women, love your content. I too have a van that I'm setting up here in Australia. I've been researching batteries and placement in the van. I'm concerned when ppl put batteries and all electrical under bed due to the EMRs they radiate. I'm trying to work out where else to place them so me and my pooch can keep healthy. Great job.
Thank you! So glad you’re enjoying our channel.
Hope you can find the perfect spot to put your electrical set up!
Unfortunately the only space we have is under our bed. 😕
for a step for the pup, what about a folding shelf... brackets on amazon and some plywood? or multi-use a tub from the kitchen and turn it upside down next to the bench?
That could work! We love multi-use
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek see my recent reply on another vid of yours... use a tub for both showering and pup step!
Hey Towanda gals, I'm playing catch up on ur video builds. Did u figure out some steps for ur senior doggies? If no ...
A foldable steps. The door u hv 4 ur toilet, a fold out steps in front? Or a simple step stool?
I love all the poems, tree wood burning art. Towanda doggie door is awesome too!
Let ur emotions flow and it's all part of ur build journey even when no this is accomplished. What matters is u keep the faith within and trust u can do the job the next day!
Can't wait 4 U4 to hit the road! Woohoo!!!!😝🤗
Thank you!! We're so close to hitting the road, we can feel it. Can't wait!!
Yayyyyyyy! A new Nat & Abby ! Yessss. We Love Ya'll Forever! 👋🏳️🌈✨🙌🏾🌠🌟 Ah'Shah & Mel 👍
Thank you loves!!! Thanks for tuning in every week. 🌈🥰
Beautiful job ladies
Thanks
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek your welcome
I love that you are focussed on making your senior pups happy and comfortable! how about travel safety? do they hang out in the dog den during the drive?
It's the Om sound.
We thought so! Thank you!
Why not put bear on the bottom and make a short little ramp for the smaller dog to sleep on one of the upper shelves or move the food up and put two beds side by side.
Great idea! 💛
🕉 oooommmmm 🙏🏼
Yes! We thought so but just weren’t sure.
@@LetsPlayRideandSeek have an om-azing day 💖🕉🙏🏼
Ommmmm... thank you!!
We think its the sign for om
It is confirmed as OM! We thought so but now we are sure.
Why not pull out one of the drawers below couch and have a cover so it works as a step.
Like this idea! Awesome!
I have an old man dog and for him stairs are bad. Going down is hard for him. In my opinion make another space that is at floor level. Or maybe lower one of the couch seats.
Old Bear will definitely use the dog space at floor level!
Both dogs have a hard time jumping up into the van, so we have to help them with that! A ramp would be nice
Cool Bear Den. Great job.
Where did you find the cedar boards?
I'm sorry can I smoke a blunt with y'all, y'all are too cute fr 😢❤🙏🏽
let's play make me a sammich
Let’s play EAT ALL THE FOOD
omgosh more lesbians. i saw some lesbians this morning
Always good seeing lesbians 😏🏳️🌈
Why the hell ... Isn't your channel getting reach u deserve...??
Maybe someday... we’re hopeful but just happy to be sharing our story anyway. 😊
The OM is a Sanskrit word that is both a mystical symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as an incantation, intoned at the start or the end of a reading, mantra, or prayer. Om or Aum is also said to represent the Brahman, or the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all life. Just as God is to other religions, Brahman cannot be understood or perceived fully. It's a religious thing or a superstitious thing. Depends on how you see things.
How about a padded wooden box half the height of your bench.
Perfect! We thought it was OM but weren’t certain. Thank you for sharing tour knowledge here!!
Padded box is a great idea! Thank you!!
Typical vegans... Taking care of eldery no matter the specie :P
Also 11:48 it does look like om, but inverted as well as upside down? im confused
It’s backwards because it’s a stamp and meant to be right side up when stamped!
It is OM!