Grandpa Was Planting Tomatoes. His Bernese Decided the Garden Needed Another Hole.
Garden day has arrived, and Moose has decided he is the assistant. Walt kneels in the dark soil in his patched overalls, glasses perched on his nose, pressing a young tomato seedling into place with both hands. Right beside him, the big Bernese has his front paws deep in a fresh hole of his own, white-tipped toes caked in dirt and nose pointed straight down at his work. Behind them sit clay pots, a metal watering can, a wooden fence, and tall tomato plants already tied to their stakes.
Digging is a completely natural behavior for dogs. Some dig to cool off in fresh earth, some do it out of boredom, and many simply copy what their people are doing. If a dog loves to dig, giving it one approved spot in the yard, like a corner of loose soil or a sandbox, can save the vegetable beds. It also helps to know that tomato plants themselves, especially the leaves and stems, can upset a dog's stomach, so it is wise to discourage chewing on them. Garden products like certain fertilizers, slug bait, and cocoa mulch should be kept well out of reach, and your vet can tell you which ones to avoid.
Walt does not seem bothered one bit. He has a row of tomatoes to plant, and Moose has a hole to finish. By the end of the afternoon, both of them will need a good rinse with the garden hose, and both will be very proud of their work.
