I didn’t always like working in the yard. My mom is a huge gardener. She used to make me weed and pick up countless piles of leaves, mow the lawn, help her trim the hedge and mulch our huge yard. When I was a small girl I remember her showing me how to prune my first rose. “Remember Kristin always look for 5 leaves and prune right above this and you will keep the rose bush healthy and it will flower again and again “. She dragged me to every greenhouse in our area and some even hours away just so we could find an exotic hosta plant she didn’t have. But I still didn’t really enjoy it.

It wasn’t until I had my own apartment did my feelings toward gardening shift. Of course, in an apartment you really don’t have much space, but I seemed to make it work. Then I moved into my own home and it was like a new world was opened. If you’ve ever gardened then you know what I mean. Gardeners are there own type of people. We love talking about how to grow plants and will talk your ear off about all the different bees we saw on our chive flowers!

But would gardening be complete without a furry companion by your side? Whether it’s a dog or a cat they add a new component to your plantings. Without my fellow companion Cisco by my side I’d probably have more strawberries to eat. I know I’d have more strawberries—for sure. His nearby presence though is comforting and brings a smile to my face every time I see him frollicing in the yard.

fresh strawberries before dog has eaten them

Let’s be clear— I love gardening now! By growing my own vegetables in the garden I not only feed my family but I also use what I’ve grown in my homemade dog treats. I think this is pretty freaking awesome! So next time you’re in your backyard with your dog think maybe we should plant something together. Trust me you won’t regret it!

Gardening with Dogs