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An elderly man in a navy sweater vest waters pink petunias with a metal can as a black pug sits in the garden bed. 21 / 36

Grandpa Was Watering His Petunias. A New Garden Statue Had Appeared.

AI imagepuggardeningflowers

Morning fog still hangs over the side yard as Grandpa tips his old metal watering can over the petunias. He wears a navy knit sweater vest over a gray shirt, and he bends low to make sure each pink and purple bloom gets its share. Mochi has planted himself right in the middle of the flower bed, sitting tall with his chin up and his ears perked, looking straight ahead like a garden statue that just happens to breathe. Terra-cotta pots, hand trowels, boots, a pair of sandals, and a bin full of gardening gear crowd the path along the house.

Gardens and dogs get along best with a little planning. Many common flowers are harmless, but some popular garden plants, such as lilies, azaleas, foxglove, and sago palm, can be dangerous to pets if chewed. It's a good idea to check any new plant before adding it to a yard where a dog spends time. Fertilizers, snail bait, and some mulches can also be risky, so store them out of reach and follow label directions closely. If you'd like to keep a dog out of a particular bed, a low border and gentle redirection work better than scolding. Fresh water nearby helps on warm days, too. When in doubt about a plant your pet chewed, call your vet.

Mochi may be blocking a few blossoms from their water, but he looks so proud of his post that Grandpa doesn't have the heart to move him. Some flowers just come with a guardian.

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