We have a lake view! The rice fields that surround Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue have been flooded with water surrounding our eight acres of rescue paradise.
With the arrival of the water we have new visitors to the garden – most welcome. The birds were everywhere this weekend,
squabbling over territory and even feeding on our bees.
This particular creature is less welcome.
I’m pretty sure he is a water snake. I’m very sure he needs to return there post-haste!
With our heavy clay soil, I suspect the flooded fields around us help the plants by keeping the roots moist and cool. What a display!
This time last year, we were still planting. Sometimes I look in astonishment at what we have created.
Of course, we had our four-legged visitors as well. Tyson is a bounce-back; returned because his family’s circumstances changed and he was unhappily spending too much time alone. We need to find him a family that can give him the time and attention he needs.
Janie is recovering from cancer treatment. She’s doing great now, and while Judy enjoys having her as her “office dog”, it is time for her to find a family of her own as well.
These adorable pups returned for their vet check and last round of shots. They are from the litter we showed up in March – one of our First Signs of Spring. They are growing up so fast!
Our dog walkers and other volunteers pitched in to continue the foxtail eradication project. As if their other contributions are not enough, they have arrived early and stayed late the past few weekends working double time to get the weeding done. The yards and trails have never looked better – and ensure that the pups have a safe place to play and train.
But my crowning weekend achievement is this:
A spotless garden shed. And a word of warning to my fellow gardeners…it had better stay that way!!
Happy week, all! See you in the garden.
Gardens For Goldens 
Very nice and colorful pictures. Have a great week too 🙂
Wow, what fabulous shots you got of those birds. Simply stunning area you are in. Sad to have dog returning but I’m sure you’ll find a perfect home. Those pups are adorable. Want one!!!
What a simply gorgeous garden – a credit to all who have worked so hard in it. I would love to have Tyson, Janie, the pups and that amazing garden shed!
Geez – handsome pups, beautiful flowers, water view, wildlife, AND a spotless garden shed. You’re living large. 🙂
Kind of hard to go to the day job after all of this! 🙂
What beautiful birds! And Tyson is a beauty, I would have snatched him up if I could.
He’s a keeper…total cuddle love bug!
THe flowers are so gorgeous. The grounds and people are wonderful. And the dogs~~~just amazing. If I ever have the chance I would love to visit and see it for myself. What a beautiful, beautiful place. Would love to have one of those puppies…….
I don’t think you’ll convince the families to give up those puppies…but you are always welcome to visit if you are in the area! 🙂
What a paradise you’ve all co-created with Love…joy as you work to maintain it and rest in the great beauty and peace it offers all. So much inspiration to this post! Thank you, and gentle peace to your week…
To you as well, Kitty! Thanks for visiting again with us!
If I wasn’t so far away, I would be a guest there too! Lovely photos. 🙂 Wish my garden shed looked like that.
Trust me…you didn’t want to see the “before”!
Aw… that poor snake (western yellow bellied racer – not a water snake) was just looking for a dry patch of land and found your garden oasis just as the birds did. I’m sure he’ll earn his keep eating mice or voles, and he is harmless to humans and dogs. Enjoy him, too! 😉
As long as he stays on his side of the fence, he can stay. 🙂
The pure joy that comes with a clean garden shed! As a fellow gardener, my mommy appreciates that final photo. She also appreciates your feelings about the un-welcome garden visitor. She saw one in our garden the other day, and although she thinks he is a “good” snake, he can move along!
Ahahaha, what a way to end this blog! 😀 I have to mention that the garden looks lovelier with the flowers in full bloom! The birds were gorgeous, they help balance the nature , I do hope that their stomachs are not eating all the bees, and definitely that snake is not my favorite , perhaps too curious of the new look of the surrounding? It better be careful from the birds.
Excellent shots!
Thank you.
Not just goldens in your garden!