Pearl Supervised as Grandpa Watered the Evening Flower Beds

Dusk is settling over the garden as Grandpa crouches beside the flower beds, tipping a galvanized watering can so that a thin stream falls over a patch of purple and yellow pansies. His glasses and gray beard glow softly in the porch light, and his tan cardigan looks warm against the evening chill. Pearl the white Poodle sits close in the foreground, her ears hanging in long ringlets, her dark eyes serious and her black collar neat. She has the look of a supervisor who approves of the schedule.

Gardens are lovely spaces to share with a dog, but they come with a few cautions. Some common garden plants and bulbs can be harmful if chewed, and fertilizers, slug bait, and weed killers can be dangerous to pets. Keep these products stored securely, and check which plants in your yard are safe for dogs. Pansies are generally considered pet-friendly, but if you ever suspect your dog has eaten something she should not have, call your vet promptly. Fresh water after a garden session is always welcome.

Pearl is not tempted by the blossoms, only by the steady splash of water and the company of her person. The flowers will be fresh by morning, and the yard will smell of damp earth and warm evening. Pearl, for one, will be there to inspect the results.