Fall Garden – Page 2 – Gardens For Goldens

Until the Fall

The garden – like the rest of us – is desperately trying to turn the corner to fall.

It was not to be this week – with summer still making itself known by delivering temperatures over the century mark.

With the surrounding rice fields drained, even the crawdads are trying to seek safe haven.

I guess the word is out that we rescue, as most were scooped up and transported to our pond.

After a very hectic and full-house summer, we delighted in sending 14 dogs home last weekend. However brief the respite, there are, thankfully, a few open spots in our kennel “dorm.” I think all of us could use a bit of a rest from the crazy pace and heat of summer. Like the garden, we are a bit wilted and worn.

I look forward to cooler days and fall projects. Last year was the entry way – freshly planted and a looking a little bare this time last September –

now full and flourishing.

And the re-worked Iris bed. Last September, we carved out some center space for annual color while the irises take their own rest.

The summer plantings have completely taken over and will look even more beautiful as the season changes.

There are bulbs to thin and plant, beds to re-work, and trees to install as the season’s cycle begins again. But all of that will have to wait until we have a bit of cooler, crisper weather suitable for hard labor. Until then, we’ll just enjoy the company of dogs.

Fall’s Grace

“For the Fall of the year is more than three months bounded by an equinox and a solstice. It is a summing up without the finality of year’s end.” ~ Hal Borland

This blank spot in the perennial bed signals the end of a season, as the Dahlias have been lifted and stored for the winter.

The weather this weekend was beautiful after a stormy start to the week, so Daylilies were divided, bulbs planted,

and giant holes filled in the yards where dogs chase bunnies. Who me?

The light is beautiful in the garden at this time of year.

Although most of the brilliant blossoms have faded away, a few remain and it is as if the sheer warmth of the sun bathes the garden in gold;

it soaks up all the magic that goes on here.

Where big dogs come to find homes,

tiny dogs are nurtured,

blind dogs see that they are surrounded by love,

and old dogs can sum up their own seasons in sanctuary and peace.

“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace, as I have seen in one autumnal face.” ~ John Donne

In Good Garden Company

“A garden is never so good as it will be next year.”~ Thomas Cooper

It seems there is always another project to prepare the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden for the next season. Last week it was the iris bed;

today, some 400 daffodil bulbs sat waiting to be planted for the spring.

So nothing delighted me more than to see a small army of our gardeners show up today. With Diane,

Peggie,

Ina and camera-shy Maria on hand, the garden was weeded, dead-headed and the bulbs got planted on a beautiful fall weekend day.

We continue to be in the company of frogs…

And these nasty things which have been munching on our Pluot tree.

Ina wanted to save the invaders, but I made caterpillar mush of them instead, and left a bit of evidence behind as a warning to their friends.

Of course, we’re always in the company of dogs, which makes our work a true labor of love.

Summer is another of the dogs from Taiwan. She arrived with a myriad of issues, including cancer.

We have hopefully dispensed with all, but there’s no way to be certain. Anna does not care. It was love at first sight.

An introduction to her Jenni was made.

With approval won, the deal was sealed and Summer went home today.

So did Rollie. There was no hesitation at all when that car hatch opened. Inside he found a fresh new bed and a brand new toy. Jackpot! Happy life Rollie.

Our youth volunteers were out in force as well. It is so encouraging to see a new generation involved in rescue. Henzi is a natural, doting on Ella and Maggie in the garden.

Our nights are getting cooler. The watering has been cut back. And our last Dahlia of the season put on a spectacular display.

The foliage is now as impressive as the flowers that remain.

Fall is on glorious display.

Divide and Conquer

“Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas.” ~ Elizabeth Murray

The garden looks especially beautiful and welcoming in the fall light.

Though the blooms are fewer, their rich colors pop against a canvas of turning leaves and warm brown grasses.

Ina’s asters have finally arrived, draped over the fence like a bee’s blanket of purple.

Maria, has of course, dressed the garden for fall.

Her holiday displays may not bespeak a memorial garden, but they certainly make a beautiful backdrop for our posing dogs. This is Ella.

Princess and Duke – all new arrivals.

With Maria and Ina both on hand, it was a perfect time to tackle the iris bed.

Peggy and Steve had a good start, but work has called them away. With three of us on scene, we decided to finish the lifting and dividing. From the size of the bulb clumps, it was pretty clear they had been left for years – a first, forgotten effort in the garden.

While Ina and Maria divided, I dug trenches and raised berms in a semi-circle.

We have decided to plant the sunflowers in the center next summer as the Willow Tree has taken their sun. During the other months we will fill with annuals to keep color in the garden year round.

It’s pretty amazing what the three of us can get done in a day when we put our minds (and backs) to it. We went home dirty, tired, but satisfied.

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” ~ Emile Zola

Seasons surrender

The season is definitely upon us.

It seems like it happened in an instant. One day the garden was bursting forth – and the next, the leaves were falling, the buds were smaller,

and the bold colors of summer were replaced by a palette of oranges, blues, purples and browns.

Summer surrenders to fall.

I’ve written about surrender before. To me, it is the hardest part of rescue, and something I will never get used to.
More and more, the garden has become a place for families to say their final farewell.

The garden was always intended as a place for farewells and fond remembrances, so I suppose it is fitting that families spend their last few moments with their beloved dogs in a quiet, secluded corner of it. Today, it was a father and son saying a tearful goodbye to their pup. No pictures. It would not have been right.

And then, Ben & Jerry – two more arrivals later in the day.

I did not meet their family. I know these two will be scooped up right away. Still, I cannot imagine what goes through a dog’s mind and heart when their whole lives change in an instant.

When I was young, we never had an opportunity to say ‘goodbye’ to our pets. Our parents made a decision – and one day they were gone. I can’t even remember what we were told. Maybe I choose not to. Proper goodbyes – no matter how hard – are important for us humans. I wonder what the dogs know.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” ~ Winnie the Pooh, A.A.Milne

I am glad that we are here for them at Homeward Bound. I am grateful to everyone who supports our efforts. And especially so to the families that give these special dogs a new season of their own.

A Wedding in the Garden

This weekend, the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden created a brand new memory – our first-ever wedding.

Susan and Frank are volunteers of Homeward Bound. Susan walks dogs, feeds and provides companionship to our sanctuary dogs; Frank is an awesome talent who helps to keep our vehicles running. Susan also sought help for her beloved Stella – a story shared here.

Artistic, and completely unconventional – Susan chose the garden as her venue. There were probably more than a few raised eyebrows over the decision to have a wedding at a rescue, but in the end, I think everyone would agree it was a perfect place and a perfect day.

The garden is peaking, but waited just long enough to play host to the event.

Susan loves fall – so Maria and I arrived early to ensure that fall was on full display. Grapevines and garden flowers draped the arbor;

twig wreaths added a fall touch to the training pavilion where the reception was held…

and the simple bouquets were from the garden.

About 100 invited guests and a couple of special dogs (Susan’s Stella among them) were joined by uninvited guests: frogs and lizards (much to the kids’ delight) –

and the farmer’s combine which chose Saturday to begin the harvest. Thankfully, they stopped working about 90 minutes before the ceremony.

The garden has always been a special place to Susan – she has followed its progress in person and on this blog since nearly the beginning.

I was touched (and terrified) that she would trust her photos to me and Rob. I’ve tried not to share too many personal shots here as she has not seen them yet, but I’ll hope she that she won’t mind my few selections. We were all touched by their decision to request donations to Homeward Bound in lieu of wedding gifts. What a completely unselfish and generous act on behalf of the dogs.

The garden was always meant to be a place for fond remembrances. The love that filled it on Susan and Frank’s special day is a reminder that it is also a place where we create new memories. An unattributed quote: “The garden is a mirror of the heart.” Saturday, the garden mirrored two very devoted hearts. What a joyous day it was.

Congratulations to Susan and Frank with this hope: “The strongest and sweetest songs yet remain to be sung.” – Walt Whitman