A Tiny Havanese Inspected Every Row of the Vegetable Garden

Between rows of leafy seedlings, a black and white Havanese puppy is on an expedition. He is hunched low with his head down, nose almost touching the soil, and his floppy black ears sweep the ground. A wooden fence runs behind him, a tomato plant stands tall to one side, and every leaf in the garden seems to deserve a closer sniff.

Gardens are fascinating to puppies, but they can hide hazards. Some common garden plants, including onions, garlic and certain bulbs, are harmful to dogs, and fertilizers, slug bait and other garden products can be dangerous if eaten. It is a good idea to know what is growing in your yard and to keep chemicals locked away. If your pup eats something suspicious, call your vet quickly.

Havanese are curious, cheerful dogs, and they usually love to follow their people around the yard. Their small size and gentle nature make them good garden companions, though a pup with a long coat will come back with soil, twigs and seeds in it. A good brushing and a quick check for burrs after a garden trip keeps the coat comfortable.

For this explorer, the world is wide and full of smells. He has decided to inspect the whole row before dinner, and he plans to be thorough. Meanwhile the vegetables stay safe for now, since this small gardener is far more interested in smelling the dirt than in eating anything growing in it.