Amie Asked: Bedding for a dog pen.?

I have a Pomeranian that is about 6 months old. We had to make a dog pen to keep him in at night time in the garage because he is sooo super hyper he plays all during the night and wakes everyone up. The garage floor is cold so we tried to put different types of beddings for him on the ground.
First we tried sheets but that became too expensive because we had to keep buying new ones.
Second we tried cat litter. My stepdad looked online and heard that it is safe for dogs to use also, but that's not something I want him to lay in all during the night. It gets all in his fur and makes him nasty. (Especially since he has a husky look to him, and it colors the white parts of fur)
Last but not least my fiance tried soft wood chips. That was working GREAT! Easy to clean and not expensive.But…lately his eyes have been very red. We think the wood chips are doing it to him.

Is there anything anybody could suggest to try in the dogs pen that isn't very expensive and will be comfortable?

Another question I want to throw in here is, is there anything I can do to help him not be as hyper? I have only seen him lay down probably once since I got him. He is always running around.

Michelle Asked: Moving to Chicago for school?

I just receieved an early acceptance letter so I don't feel like I have much time. I'm looking for a safe neighborhood but again I don't have much to spend. I would go for student housing but I've been told it's more expensive than finding my own place. Also considered joint living conditions but I have a small dog and problems with messy people and have some social anxiety.
I would be willing to live outside of Chicago but not as far as I do live now. (it takes me about 1 hour to get to Chicago from my house now) I'm not looking for exact places but maybe some recomendations for some neighborhoods.
Thanks!

What Asked: A black family has moved in next to me and my dogs hate them, I can see it’s going to be a problem,

My long time neighbors moved and I just found out the people who moved in are black (which really shocked me as my neighborhood is at least 95%+ white)…well I am not too pleased about it but there is nothing I can do ya know?? Anyway my 2 dogs (a Lab and a mutt) always have had free run around our houses and everybody liked them but they got their first look at the black family in their front yard this morning when I was going to work and they went ballistic barking and their fur standing up on their back…I had never seen them react to anyone before…so I see trouble brewing…suggestions or comments???