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An elderly man in a cardigan plants a seedling in a raised bed while a brindle Shih Tzu digs in the soil beside him. 15 / 36

Otis Planted the Seedlings and Pepper Dug Her Own Project

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The light is fading, a lantern glows on the fence post, and Otis kneels in the raised garden bed with a young seedling pinched between his fingers. Right beside his knee, Pepper has put her whole front half into a hole of her own, back legs braced and tail up, flinging dark soil in every direction. Leaves lie scattered across the dirt, flowers and herbs crowd the corners of the bed, and Otis looks on with a patient, amused smile.

Digging is a natural behavior for many dogs, and it is rarely a sign of bad manners. Some dogs dig to cool off, some to explore, and some simply because the soil smells interesting. If you want to protect a garden, try giving your dog a dedicated digging spot, or fence off newly planted rows until the roots have settled. Watch out for fertilizers, mulch, and garden products too, since some are harmful if a dog eats them, and a dog with muddy paws should be wiped down before she comes inside. Your vet can answer any questions about plants that are unsafe for pets.

Pepper has her project and Otis has his, and the two are happily side by side. By the time the sun is gone, one hole will be a seedling and the other a very proud hole. That seems like a fair division of labor in any backyard.

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An elderly man in glasses hangs white sheets on a clothesline while a Shih Tzu runs across the yard between them.Otis Hung the Sheets and Pepper Turned the Yard into a RacetrackAn elderly man in a wicker chair sips lemonade with a lemon slice while a Shih Tzu looks up from the foreground.Otis Poured Himself a Lemonade and Pepper Watched Every SipAn elderly man in glasses sits on a truck tailgate with a hand on a Shih Tzu beside him near a field.Otis Sat on the Tailgate Beside the Field and Pepper Joined HimA smiling elderly man in a green cardigan holds the camera out in a selfie with a brindle Shih Tzu on his lap on a porch.Otis Held the Camera Out and Pepper Gave It Her Best Stare