A Trainwreck in the Garden

It was a wild weekend here when we were preparing to leave on vacation. Our daughter’s 45 lb lab/boxer/mystery small breed mix and our 85 lb black lab “puppy” would be staying here with house/dog sitters. The dogs were 14 and 15 months old, so still very much puppies in their behavior. When they first get together they are wild and only allowed outside and in the garage. The garden which had been doing well suffered serious damage as their random chasing makes them blind to everything along the way. Here is the before and after.

Within the first hour, our Maggie had a cut under her eye and down the side of her face—and the good size gas grill was turned over. You do the math. I'm happy to say that the cut healed nicely although it looked like it would be a nasty scar, but the grill can not be repaired. Come on summer sales.

Another reason they don’t come into the house (besides the constant wrestling) is that we have a lake and they love the water. As they occasionally meander through the back yard, they will look up and see the lake and you can almost hear their thoughts. “WOW, there’s a lake. I LOVE to swim!” and then they go barreling down into it as fast as they can. Those of you familiar with Ceasar Milano and dogs will relate to his explanation of dogs' enthusiastic reactions to everything as if it is the best stick, lake, treat, etc--EVER.

Here are the tired culprits later in the day after they were dry. My husband is famous for complaining when they get in the lake again that "I just dried them off". I told him that they are probably thinking while he is drying them, "we just got wet!"

Yes, I do have very light carpet and furniture , as well as dark laminate floors that show every muddy footprint.