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Dog Days in the Garden

© Emily Levitt

It's too hot and dry to do much in the garden these days. At times like these when the plants are drooping, my hardscape accents take the spotlight (surrounded by crispy foliage, alas).

One of the first placed stones in my garden stands in memory of Petey, aka:
The Dog Who Hated Me. I nursed this poor old Bassett hound through two disc surgeries, took good care of him when he urinated in the backseat of my sports car, held him when he was frightened on an airplane.... and he never liked me. Ever.

Petey could run away from a confined space in the yard in no time flat, even with only two good legs. He usually selected an early rainy morning, with heavy traffic, to escape. He'd be two miles away, schmoozing a total stranger, before I got out of my morning shower at 7:30.

The phone would ring, and a good canine Samritan would tell me a tale of woe about a pitiful lost puppy, whose pet tags showed this number, and could I please come get my poor, cute, sweet, hurt dog?

Geez. I wanted someone to KEEP him!

When he passed into the great doggie beyond, he was cremated by my husband, who, amazingly, still misses him. I LOVE animals. I do not miss Petey.

However, I took full advantage of his demise in an overt attempt to earn myself brownie points. (After all, I still have a life to live with the man who miises Petey).

We brought the ashes home in a peanut tin (this annimal would bite your HAND off for a peanut) and buried them under a dogwood tree.

My husband was genuinely touched when I presented him with the pet memorial stone bearing Petey's name. I must admit, I smile when I pass this spot even today. Hey, at least I know where the Petey is---and that he will, at last, stay home.

Pet memorials can be meaningful additions to a garden. I have the ashes of two wonderful cats, and those of the best dog in the world, waiting in their crematory tins for appropriate placement.

I like the rock; the one I show here comes from Avalon Garden. There are other choices; statuary, water features, and the like. I just haven't made up my mind yet, but suggestions are welcome!

The copyright of the article Dog Days in the Garden in Gardening in Southern U.S. is owned by Emily Levitt. Permission to republish Dog Days in the Garden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.