What a gorgeous day we had today in Austin! Perfect temperature, perfect blue sky, perfect pure sunlight pouring down. My yard, however, was not looking so perfect…straggly, even. Time to put on the gardening gloves.
First order of business was to pull up all the dead sunflower stalks from earlier in the summer. Grimm decided he was going to help by bringing me pieces to add to the pile. Because the dried stalks still have a few dried sunflower heads attached, seeds are still present, too. To keep the birds happy and to provide a place for the smaller critters to hide, I add the stalks to several brush piles I have strategically placed around the yard. These piles are nestled in the mini-bamboo forests I have cultivated around the perimeter of my property. The bamboo makes a perfect natural fence and with the brush hidden inside, my neighbors can’t complain about unsightly brush piles.
Step 1: Bring the stick to the stick pile. Step 2: Drop the stick on the pile. Step 3: Tap the stick into place with your foot. Step 4: Watch the stick carefully to make sure it stays in place.
Grimm was so excited to be able to help today. I think, ladies and gentlemen, I have found Grimm’s niche: gardening. Granted, it took about 10 minutes for him to bring one little stick over (first he had to munch on it to make it the appropriate size, I guess), but he did add, well, five stalks to the pile. Once he gets his stick fetching skills honed, we’ll have to start on digging next. Maybe by next month he’ll be talented enough to work the mower. One can hope, right?
Grimm takes his time finding the perfect spot to place his dried sunflower stalk.
While Grimm worked at collecting sticks, Zella chased a few bunnies. I was a little surprised that Grimm stayed with me and not with her, but, as a lot of you now know, Grimm is a velcro dog–even the excitement of a rabbit chase can’t get him to truly leave my side. He watched Zella, though, as she sprung through the tall grass. Finally, she flushed one his way and he joined in the hunt. Not to worry, though, they never came close to catching any of those agile rabbits.
Grimm watches Zella chase bunnies in the field next to my house.
Getting outside on such a glorious day really lifted my spirits! The last few weeks have been a little rough and I didn’t realize how much I missed just being able to putter around outside (with the dogs, of course). Plus, if you’ve been following or reading this blog, you’ll know that I was Freshly Pressed this week. All of your stories about your own critters and kind words of encouragement really heartened my spirits. I would never have thought that one little story, on one little blog, about one little (well, okay, big) dog could create such an overwhelming response!
So, thank you. Thank you for embracing my stories and empathizing with my frustration. I now know more about all of your toilet habits, too, which is not something many people can say.
Grimm thanks you, too. He was elated to learn that there are other dogs out there who didn’t read their Rules and Regulations in Regards to Living in the Human World handbook, either. He feels a little better knowing he’s not the only one with a paper fetish and a strong desire to hang out with his person by the commode.
For now, it’s back to stick clearing duty. This garden isn’t going to prune itself. I’ll leave that chore to Grimm. He likes to eat paper, and isn’t paper just pulverized sticks?
Maybe I’ll just munch on this stick for a while. Tastes like chicken.
Grimm's Furry Tail 