Gardens For Goldens

The Seeds of Today and Yesterday

“Memory is the power to gather roses in winter.” ~ Author Unknown

Gardens don’t have memories. They die back in winter and come forth in spring to show the results of our hard work – or the havoc the birds and nature have sown.

But surely, they have souls.

Each year the garden is reincarnated; reborn. Taking on a remarkably similar, but changed version of its former self. It’s journey – a combination of planning and happenstance.

A blogger I admire – Will, of Will and Eko “Marking our Territory” fame – wrote a beautiful tribute this week to his brother’s dog, Dutch, titled “On Losing a Dog.” If you haven’t read it; you should. He captures so perfectly the grief we feel when our most accepting companions leave us. But there was one line I could not shake. He wrote: “A dog has no journey of their own, no thoughts of past or future, so they give themselves fully to us in a way no person ever could.”

Will is right that a dog’s journey is largely controlled by others, but the dogs we rescue at Homeward Bound most definitely have pasts – and memories of them. Some are very hard to let go. We have seen dogs that mourn the loss of their human or canine sibling; others that have been traumatized or mistreated. One of our newest arrivals, Missy, is clearly thinking only of her past. Surrendered for a minor transgression, she does not understand why she has gone from family dog to homeless dog, or why she was left in a place she finds so overwhelming. Shaking, tail tucked, her body language says “I’m afraid.”

As soon as she sees the vet, we will hope to have her in foster. Gorgeous, she should have no problem finding a home. We will guide her on a new journey – with a secure and loving future. And she will, no doubt, give herself fully and gratefully to a person who will make her feel safe and loved.

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today and yesterday.” ~ Chinese proverb

Wordless Wednesday: California Quenched

Fall whispers farewell

The garden is tucked under a blanket of leaves.

We’ll let it wear this thin cover through the winter to protect sensitive perennials from frost while feeding the soil.

I am always surprised at how quickly the garden can fade; from brilliant oranges, reds and golds

to a canvas of grey and brown.

Not dead; just moved to a new state of slumber as if to say, ‘let’s rest awhile.’ It is a well-deserved. Fall whispers farewell.

Last year at this time, two weeks of record cold and frost were upon us. Unheard of for our area, it stole – overnight – the last color from the garden and resulted in more than a few casualties.

This year, we are blessed with successive days of warm rain. The last roses shine like neon against an earth-colored backdrop.

The long-term forecast says we will not yet escape the drought – but the outlook improves somewhat. For this we are very thankful. With the grey skies and the holidays upon us, the pumpkins were promptly dispatched to the compost pile

and a living tree was moved in.

While the décor has changed, we are still filled with the spirit of giving thanks. Our kennels are only half full after so many “going homes” including eleven of our twelve puppies –

Only sweet Titania remains. We have promised her a home by Christmas.

The breeder dogs that came in recently are all spoken for, including this beautiful pup – surrendered for a heart murmur. One person’s “defect” is another’s great fortune.

For once, the pace is relaxed – with time for enjoying each other’s company as well as the company of dogs.

Our own well-earned rest.

“And the dead leaves lie huddled and still,
No longer blown hither and thither;
The last lone aster is gone;
The flowers of the witch hazel wither;
The heart is still aching to seek,
But the feet question ‘Whither?’” ~ Robert Frost

Giving Thanks for You

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird,

and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee! ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

For traveling with me on this journey and the many friends I have made along the way…I am thankful. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Wordless Wednesday: Suspended

Bird Bath

Bath and a blow dry following a (welcome) light rain.

Who you looking at?

In today walks tomorrow

Each rose has its season…

Each season has it’s time.

And every dog has its day…or so we hope. This weekend, more of our little puppies had theirs. From twelve, we are down to three – with “going homes” celebrated Saturday for Sydney –

and for Miranda and Nix, lucky littermates who went home together.

Fall marks an end…

And also a beginning.

Today marked an important end for Rosie. She will no longer live the existence of a nameless breeder dog; and the pink dye that was used to identify her and her pups is now washed away.

Today is her beginning. With time and patience, her fear will also be washed away – replaced with trust. Here is the beginning of that process in Carolyn’s capable hands:

“And in today already walks tomorrow.” ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Happy tomorrow, Sydney, Miranda, Nix and Rosie.

Wordless Wednesday: Spider Bridge

Why Heaven Made Dogs

“If Heaven made him — earth can find some use for him.” ~ Chinese Proverb

As our garden matures, it has found purpose beyond beauty. Our compost now makes soil. Our passion vine feeds caterpillars –

that turn into beautiful Gulf Fritillary butterflies.

Nature has a way of creating purposeful pairs…Monarchs and their symbiotic relationship with Butterfly Weed;

Birds and their perches;

Lizards and turtles?

Apparently in our garden – if no where else. Spring needs Fall;

Bees need flowers;

And dogs need homes. Among others, Daphne and Delilah found theirs together this weekend…

And Indy, too.

And why did heaven make dogs?

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.” ~ E. Jong

Morning Rain: Night Fog

Morning’s blessed rain highlights fall colors…

But can’t hold a candle to evening’s misty fog.

Wordless Wednesday: Rising with the Sun

Fall’s Last Loveliest Smile

“Come, little leaves,”
Said the wind one day,

“Come over the meadows
With me, and play;
Put on your dresses
Of red and gold;

Summer is gone,
And the days grow cold.” ~ George Cooper

The garden is looking splendid, adorned in its fall colors. Ina’s asters have spilled over the fence in a wave of purple…

The roses are on parade and playing host to all kinds of creatures (look closely)…

and our golden pups are happy to lay in the garden and yards, soaking up the autumn sun.

We played host to special visitors today. Greg Gayton is a manager for Green Acres Nursery. I’m sure many of our plants looked familiar to him – their three area stores are a little too conveniently located near me and Ina. In fact, the flowering plum that we planted last weekend made its way here from there. Although Greg has donated many plants personally, he had not seen the Memorial Garden in three seasons. Back then, I’m not sure he gave it much hope. A lot has changed!

I was sorry that Ina and Maria were not here to meet him. He and Ina speak the same language; Botanical Latin. It’s Greek to me. And I’m sure Maria would have enjoyed touring him and picking his brain about her new California Natives yard. Brody, his beautiful Golden, originates from Homeward Bound.

His family is equally stunning.

“Autumn. The year’s last loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant