Grandpa Planted Tomatoes While Pip Dug Her Very Own Hole
Grandpa kneels in a bed of dark soil, gloved hands steadying a tomato seedling, while Pip digs enthusiastically beside him. Her little front paws are caked with mud, and her nose is smudged with earth. A watering can, a pair of shoes, and a wooden fence sit behind them, and tiny green plants fill the rows.
His red plaid flannel and gardening gloves have clearly seen many seasons. Pip's face wears the focused look of a dog who believes she is making a real contribution to the garden.
Digging is a natural instinct, especially for terriers, whose name comes from the Latin word for earth. Rather than scolding, many owners give their dogs a designated digging spot, like a small sandy patch. In the garden, keep her away from fertilizer, cocoa mulch, slug bait, and certain plants, which can be harmful if eaten. Tomato leaves and green stems can upset a dog's stomach, so keep an eye out. After gardening, wipe her paws and brush her coat. If she nibbles something questionable, call your vet.
The seedlings will grow tall, and Pip will take full credit for the hole she dug. There will be tomatoes in summer, and plenty of mud on a small dog's paws before then. A garden is made of patience, and this pair seems to have enough of it to spare.
