I got to thinking about how our yard has changed through the years after a post on "How old is your garden?". Pets have so changed the garden through the years. We lived with grass and open spaces for a couple of decades. The German Shephards, and family cats were easy going and no real impact on the yard. Oofa and Kaelan - First and Second Generation Shephards-lots of grass ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) 1990 Grass Paths and open spaces ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Then we got Dobies. No more massive hair problems in the house, but the grass disappeared from the dogs' high energy and pepetual motion. And yes, they are house dogs, not outdoor dogs. We started putting down pavers in the high traffic areas where the Dobies had run the grass down to the soil. Ruby and TM and some new pavers ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) More pavers in every area ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) The Dobies also did something none of our other pets ever did...eat our vegies from the vine or bush. Green beans and peas were a favorite for TM. We finally fenced a small area for those delicaties. All along we continued to lay pavers. We've laid pavers ever year up until a few years ago. Then came our second generation of Dobies. Both Ciara and Kota were adult rescue dogs four years old. Kota had food issues. She still does despite the vet giving her a clean bill of health. Kota has taught Ciara lots of bad habits. The new one this spring is eating Autumn Joy Sedums. I had been growing some of them in pots. They are now NOT in the back yard unless they were planted into the fenced vegie garden. Ciara eating the last of the Autumn Joy Sedum in this planter ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Some plants have been donated to healthy dogs like one of my favorite ornamental grasses. dog grass - it was a pretty ornamental ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Kota and I both have food issues. Now I just plant extras and hope this summer I will get some of the strawberries. I've planted some in planters so that I can move them to the front or side yard when they look like they are ripening. Am not sure how the raspberries will go. Kota doing her pathetic look ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) I have been putting down bark for the dog's race track as I've trained them to stay out of the flower beds (Well almost trained...) More and more trails are getting bark laid over them. dog race track ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) I have had to put fruit tree trimmings into the woodland beds and between the filbert trees to keep them from taking short cuts. major dog play area and racing area ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) more dog race track ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Love living with pets and their varied personalities. We have great companions. It always makes me smile when I see Ciara racing full speed through the yard. When we got her she didn't know how to run with more than a funny bunny hop. She'd been a house kennel dog and didn't know how to run properly. Ciara, "I know there is a squirrel up there" ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden ) Now she knows that chasing high flying sea gulls is fruitless and squirrels, racoons, and possums are critters of high interest. She also knows that cats are to be ignored. Rescue dogs make me smile. And all those pavers are now covered in moss if the dogs haven't worn it off. moss worn off the pavers from dog traffic ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )
I had to smile when I saw Kota's pathetic look. Our old Labrador used to look just like that when he was caught scoffing down my raspberries. You have, and have had, some wonderful pets and your garden has come on in leaps and bounds since you had Oofa and Kaelan. I love the fact that you've made running tracks for you Dobies. I'm so glad Ciara has found the joy in running. :-D
I enjoyed reading the individual stories of your dogs Jewell. Seems like each one of them adds their own unique garden challenge. Thanks for sharing.
Jewell... sounds like they've trained you well! Amazing what they can make us do, isn't it? And looks like you've done an excellent job keeping everyone happy.
Hi Jewell, 21 years of a garden record in pictures!,..wonderful to see and have,..amazing how our pets guide us in a certain direction,..depending on what they need,..a walking or running area!!,..an area that wont be muddy or bare of grass from constant doggy walking,..i loved seeing all your pets,..and your garden sure has character,..very nice.
What a wonderful posting, Jewell. There is so much to see and appreciate. The change of your garden is pretty remarkable...and it is so attractive. Having animal companions are such a treat too, aren't they. p.s. Nice Aquilegias.
I enjoyed your post a lot Jewell. It was interesting to see how your garden has changed over the years. Your pets are all adorable. I would probably let them train me too. Our flat coat used to eat raspberries and bilberries when we were out in the forest. She didn't bounce through our borders fortunately, except from a few times when she had just moved in. She was a shelter dog too.
Thanks MaryAnn, Philip, Sjoerd and Droppy. Gardens do certainly change. I would have never dreamed of pavers and bark when we first moved here. I loved the grass paths. Very little mowing grass now. :-D Lots of weeding though. Our rescue dogs are great companions.
