A palace for your pooch

Some lucky dogs may think they've gone to pooch heaven if their masters are the high bidders for custom-designed doghouses going up for grabs April 3 at a benefit for Hull Seaside Animal Rescue.

The stylish canine accommodations, designed by 15 architects, builders and community groups from across New England, will be the highlight of the nonprofit organization's second annual ''Barkitecture" fund-raising event. To be held at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset, the auction will help raise money for a permanent animal shelter in Hull.

Formed six years ago, Hull Seaside Animal Rescue uses rented space to house about 20 abandoned cats. The temporary shelter lacks the kennels and other facilities needed to house dogs, but the group's members provide foster care for dogs and work to place them in permanent homes.

''Our goal still remains to establish a permanent animal shelter so that no animal is destroyed simply because there was no home for it," said Pamela Loring, the group's president and the fund-raiser's organizer.

Hull Seaside Animal Rescue has several hundred area members, Loring said, including 44 who volunteer at the shelter. The group's first ''Barkitecture" event, held last spring, raised $25,000.

The architects taking part in the event enjoy donating their professional services, Loring said, and not just because they're animal lovers. They ''really take joy in designing for a client who is going to love it," she said, particularly when the client ''won't ask for a different color or to move a wall."

Among the elegant designs up for bid this year is the ''Double-Hull House." It resembles a picturesque sea cottage on the outside, but the inner section can be removed and brought indoors when it's not a night fit for man or beast. The ''Rollover House" includes a deck for a sun-loving dog. Also up for bid are the ''Windmill House for Pets," the ''Fenway Bark" (decorated with banners that say, ''Who's your doggie?"), and the ''Bookitecture," designed by students of the South Shore Charter School in Norwell to look like a book resting on its covers.

The event will include a cocktail reception, and a silent auction featuring merchandise and gift certificates donated by area builders, restaurants, stores, and individuals, with the prizes including a drum skin signed and donated by Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, a Marshfield resident.

The live bidding will be conducted by noted auctioneer Trip Barnes, who Loring said is sure to ''leave the crowd panting."

The architects are also competing for a best-in-show prize awarded by popular vote, and the auction paddles that guests will use are shaped like dog biscuits.

Some of the creative efforts produced for last year's fund-raiser were so well received that duplicates were made and sold to further boost Hull Seaside Animal Rescue, Loring said.

''People do love animals, and want to show support for those who have had more difficult lives," she said.

''Barkitecture 2005" will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. April 3 at the Red Lion Inn, 71 South Main St., Cohasset. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information, call 877-378-1195 or go to www.hsar.org.Robert Knox can be reached at rc.knox@verizon.net.