A fresh batch of new volunteers came through the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden today during their orientation.
Maria is smart enough to address the question proactively: no, there are no dogs buried here. Just a quiet place to remember, gather with friends and enjoy some peace and quiet with those in our charge.
We try to make the garden a welcome place for all – the birds and bees – and more.
There are plenty of warm places to sun or hide for lizards and our friendly snakes.
We leave bunny burrows alone as long as they only take their share.
Makeshift bird baths, seeds, worms and ample bugs (no pesticides) support a variety of feathered friends.
And we plant purposefully to attract bees and hummingbirds including butterfly bush, gaura, coreopsis, gaillardia, bee balm, dahlia, lavender, sage, aster, daylily, coneflower, verbena, yarrow, zinnia, delphinium, penstemon, lantana, milkweed and more.
Fittingly, Saint Francis – the patron saint of animals and the environment – watches over. Maria has just completed his new stone pedestal…a fitting throne and a beautiful addition to the garden.
He whispers to the pups – like newbies Chip and Cookie – ‘everything will be alright’.
And the garden whispers to us in the cheerful chatter of birds, the hum of busy bees, and butterflies gracefully gliding from bed to bed.
“Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending.” ~ Author Unknown
Gardens For Goldens 