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A buff Cocker Spaniel and a white lamb stand among raised beds of leafy vegetables in a backyard garden. 15 / 37

The Spaniel Gave the Lamb a Tour of the Vegetable Garden

AI imagecocker spaniellambvegetable garden

The vegetable garden is open for inspection, and a buff Cocker Spaniel is leading the tour with his long ears swinging. A white lamb follows right behind with a few specks of soil on her wool, nose down toward the greens. Raised wooden beds hold rows of young lettuce and herbs, and a pile of old garden tools sits at the back. The spaniel gives the camera a warm, slightly guilty smile, as if he knows the beds are off limits. The lamb, little Cotton, is already eyeing the lettuce. A few fallen leaves lie between the beds, and the soil is still dark from watering.

Cocker Spaniels were bred as gundogs for flushing birds, and they are cheerful, affectionate and eager to please. Their silky, long ears are lovely but can trap moisture and dirt, so routine ear checks and cleaning help prevent trouble. They love to sniff, which makes a garden a paradise. Gardeners should remember that some common plants and foods are unsafe for pets, including onions, garlic, grapes and certain bulbs, so it's worth checking before letting animals roam. Lambs will happily nibble any green leaf, which can be hard on a garden and sometimes on their stomachs, so fenced-off beds are a good idea. A basic rule is to rinse off muddy paws afterward and keep an eye out for slugs bait or fertilizer left around.

For now the lettuce is safe, and the two explorers are just enjoying a stroll between the rows.

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