Gardens For Goldens

Nature Finds A Way

Even in drought…

Nature finds a way.

Rain expected Sunday. 🙂

Hark At The Rain

The most amazing thing happened in our parched Northern California valley: it’s called “rain.”

A gentle soaking rain with moments of sunshine peaking through the clouds…

which turned the garden electric.

“And now, hark at the rain,
Windless and light,
Half a kiss, half a tear,
Saying good-night.” ~ Edward Thomas, “Sowing”

Goodnight from wonderful, rain-drenched California.

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

In the garden, opposites attract, like the purple aster against the yellow bush marigold –

and things that are alike complement each other: two different varieties of Gaillardia:

Dogs: not necessarily so. Dogs that don’t want to live with other dogs take a little longer to get home. Like our beloved, Barnaby here.

But dogs that react negatively to other dogs, require dog-savvy humans committed to their training. Their journey can take longer still.

Some dogs have had very troubled pasts, with understandable reactivity to all other dogs. But some, just pick and choose. What is it about a dog that makes it holler at another dog: “Hey, Dude! I really don’t like you!”? (These two are just playing!)

We have four of them right now: the fearless foursome. Dogs that are okay with some dogs…but really don’t like selective dogs.

Finn hates Bear.

Bear hates Jackson.

Jackson hates Finn.

And sweet Gunther isn’t sure he likes any of them.

Because reactivity can seriously limit their adoption chances, we also have devoted dog walkers and trainers who are working with them to help them learn how to co-exist.

They don’t have to like each other…

but take a lesson from the garden, boys:

can’t we all just get along?

Thanks to Rob Kessel, of robanddog.com, for use of the Bear and Finn photos.

UPDATE: All four of our fussy friends have been adopted to loving homes. Happy life, Finn, Bear, Jackson and Gunther. BE GOOD BOYS!

Boy Meets Girl

New “fur-ever” friends. Nothing better.

As Long As There Are Dogs

We have had four full fall seasons since we began our effort of building a Memorial Garden for the dogs and volunteers to enjoy. The garden continues to evolve as foundation plants mature, and the more temperamental succumb to our ongoing drought.

Season One was full of overflowing Zinnia’s and Dahlias.

Season Two was the year of Rudbeckia, huge Mexican Sages and gigantic mums.

Season Three delivered towering Sunflowers and Amaranthus.

Missing this year altogether are the Dahlias, Amaranthus and beautiful purple Basil which never took hold. The Rudbeckia and Zinnias passed through half-heartedly; the Mexican Sage, herb garden and mums are but a shadow of their former selves.

“Despite the gardener’s best intentions, Nature will improvise.” ~Michael P. Garofalo

Still, we have some constants: the roses,

Ina’s magnificent Asters with divides now populating the entire garden,

our faithful Yarrow,

flowing Fountain Grass which somehow survived the winter,

the return of tiny frogs,

Maria’s harvest-inspired decorations…

And dogs. Always dogs.

Going home this weekend: Jenny,

Ginger,

and Marley.

As long as there are dogs that need to go home, there will be a fall garden at Homeward Bound –

in one form or another.

Something Got Your Goat?

When four years of drought turns suburban meadows into potential tinderboxes,

it’s time to call for help.

Curious and agile,

these bucks, does, and kids will eat just about anything.

As a result, the adorable natural lawnmowers have become a favorite for clearing dry brush on California hillsides and uneven terrain without the threat of sparks.

They have been busy at work for over a week in the preserved open space behind my work. These acres of meadow, oak trees and a bone-dry creek are bordered in the distance by suburban homes. A fire here would find plenty of fuel.

With their four-chambered stomachs, goats have a preference for weeds,

woody shrubs

and the occasional tree –

making their week here a feast fit for kings (and queens).

Their horizontal, slit-shaped eyes are designed for spying predators,

And when they require assistance,

it helps to keep a trusty dog nearby.

There are over 300 different breeds of goat … more than a few of them at work here.

Billy goats: conservation grazers doing their part in drought-stricken California.

Wordless Wednesday: Lenny

Frog Petals

“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” ~ Aristotle

If We Could Talk To The Animals

“If we could talk to the animals, learn their languages
Think of all the things we could discuss…”

People who love animals are often guilty of channeling their furry companions, putting tiny-human words to their every animal expression. Working in the Homeward Bound garden, I sometimes carry on entire conversations with dog walkers speaking in the first-dog-person of their canine companions.

Carla is one of those dog-channelers. She writes the dog profiles for our rescue, Homeward Bound.

I learned from her and our photographer, Rob that a connection can be made almost immediately through an expressive photo and a story – told from the dog’s perspective.

People fall in love with the look of a dog; that’s Rob’s job, and he does it beautifully. But physical attraction is not enough to make a good match – for dogs or humans. Dogs don’t keep secrets, and neither does Carla. She believes in putting it out there, warts and all.

“You can call me Max, but I probably won’t come! Do you know what they call a two-year-old boy with very little training? MAX!” ~ Max

Speaking for them, she helps people connect with a dog’s journey…

“I am a ten-year-old girl, and I am here because Divorce said dad had to leave and couldn’t take me with him and then Divorce said that mom had to work a lot of hours and didn’t have time to take care of me. So I told Divorce that I was going to Homeward Bound for a fresh start.” ~ Lola

explains their pasts…

“I am a three-year-old boy looking for a fresh start. I am what you call a “stray”; I was picked up with no visible means of support and no one ever came to post my bail. Maybe it’s my lack of training or the fact I jump up on people or maybe it’s because I don’t’ like cats. So now I am hoping that my new family enjoys training and will forgive my shortcomings.” ~ Denver (now adopted Bailey)

and helps potential adopters understand how they can support a dog with challenges.

“Alright, I have had some issues with other dogs. I can go for walks…which I love to do…and not bother another dog. It’s just sometimes, when you are wrestling and romping with another dog, things get said and I take it personally and well…it’s all down hill from there!” ~ Jenny

Reading a bio, talking to our assessment team, looking at a photo – she has a way of seeing into a dog’s soul and giving voice to their hopes.

“My owner died, and I swore I would never love again, it just hurts so much to lose someone you love. My problem is that all I know is unconditional love, and my idea of love is up close and personal! I am going to need an experienced dog owner who will also understand my very sensitive nature.” ~ Marley

And she does it without a hint of pity – because our dogs don’t need pity; all they need is understanding and loving homes.

“If we could walk with the animals,