We have been blessed to have Roger in our home, as he is such a sweet dog. However, dear Roger has a problem... and that problem is that he has a taste for....
flowers... plants... pots... dirt... and not in any particular order!
I planted my precious peony plant last year, and carefully tended it this year as it sported two beautiful gorgeous buds...
And when the first bud popped open, I walked outside early in the morning to check it and found scattered petals lying on the ground... and a very damaged peony bloom lying nearby.
I scolded Roger, and he appeared to understand. I thought all was well...
... and when the second bloom opened and I went outside early in the morning... I found the second peony bloom... lying on the ground. Oh the sadness in my heart! I brought both blooms inside and set them inside a glass bowl so I could at least still enjoy what was left of their beautiful blooms.
Not too long after Roger's scolding, I walked by the door... and this is what I saw...
Roger and our sweet Mr. Simba curled up together on the front porch. Roger and Simba had a somewhat rough beginning, but they have settled into a rather comfortable relationship with each other, but even still... I've never seen them cuddle together before like this!
The moment was lost as they heard me at the door...
Aww, with a face like that, it is hard to stay upset long...
Oh yes, I love my animals. But they certainly present their many moments of distress. I'm not sure how to cure Roger of eating - yes eating - my plants! So far he has taken out my violets, pansies, tulips, irises, and now my peony. I've noticed that he eats a LOT of grass, and whenever we are in the woods, he is constantly eating grass. I wonder if this is a disorder or just something he likes to do? I've seen other dogs eat grass, but none to the extent that Roger does. And I have never had a dog to eat flowers as soon as they bloom... this includes my tulips, irises, pansies, violets, and now my peony!
Well, at least he didn't totally destroy my peony, I was able to rescue part of the bloom, and I have enjoyed them on my counter, mutilated, but still lovely.
And it seems the Lord always has a lesson for me to learn. Today - I am learning to enjoy whatever I have, and be content, regardless of whether it is what I want it to be or not. I am looking at the broken peony bloom, and remembering this scripture... where the Apostle Paul said in Phil. 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content."
So yes... I will be content with my poor mutilated peonies, hole-y yard, and sweet dirt-lovin' Roger... I will be... I will be... I will be... Amen. :)
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It won't smell nice, but drop some moth balls near your off-limit plants. Ought to do the trick. Drop them at the imaginary line where it's a no-no.
ReplyDeleteAnd Google this. Might find other better solutions or causes for dear Roger's appetite for God's green earth. It's the chlorophyll, from what I understand.
Hugs,
Kelley~
That's a great tip! I don't have any moth balls, but I need to buy some pronto. Went outside this morning, and found my newly bloomed iris on the ground. Sigh. Right now we are renting, and don't want to do anything permanent, like a fence. However, when we move, you can be sure I will have a plan in place to keep Roger from my flowers. I am also going to google it and call the vet tomorrow. His eating of "fresh blooms" is quite upsetting!
DeleteHello, I've only been to your state once, so excited to hear about it. Thank you for visiting me. I want to read about your Roger-he looks like such a wonderful companion(aside from eating your Peony). I have so Peonies here too and would be unhappy if my Hunter ate them. I would try finding Bitter Apple spray and see if that helps. I can't tell how tall he is-but maybe a small fence around your plants would help.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Noreen
We do live in a beautiful state, so thankful for the beauty here! Roger is a very sweet dog. He has quite a few funny ways. One of those being that he can jump 6 feet into the air while just sitting. If you hold your hand high above your head, he loves to jump, and touch it with his nose. So, the fence would have to be really high, plus we are renting, and planning to move within the next couple of months Lord willing... I like your idea of bitter apple spray. I also have some sulfur and I think I am going to try that. Another commenter also mentioned moth balls. I lost an iris bloom this morning to him. So sad. I need to figure something out quickly! Thank you for your visit, and your thoughts, they are much appreciated! I pray you have a wonderful day as well :)
DeleteOur toy poodles graze on grass like cattle, then dig all over the lawn for grubs...ugh. It's so frustrating!! We have patches all over the place! What's more frustrating is they vomit the grass up in the house later. We've never had dogs that did this before. They are brother and sister, and they have a lot of other issues, as well. I would not recommend this breeder to anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThe bitter apple spray sounds like a good idea...but I would need about 1/2 an acres worth!!! lol. I tried the moth balls to keep cats out of my flower beds, but when it rained, all I could smell were the moth ball fumes.
I would check with your vet first, before trying anything.
Debbie
xo
Yes, I am going to call the vet today to see if he has any suggestions for this grass-dirt-flower eating dog! It is so frustrating when your animals have issues that destroy things! You are torn between your love for them, and the things you love... sigh. Hmm, thanks for letting me know about your experience with moth balls.... Thank you for your visit and sharing your thoughts with me, much appreciated :)
DeleteOne of our kitties used to jump up on the table and eat the heads right off my tulips! I think he liked biting the stems. The flower heads would just be sitting on the table underneath the vase, which now only contained headless stems. He knew he was naughty, because when caught in the act he would run away before I even said a word. I would get so mad. He's gone now and the flower heads always stay attached and you know what, sometimes, I would be happy to have that furry ball back and the flowers chomped and eaten again! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, the delights, joys and... sorrows of owning animals! They all have their little quirks! I can understand when you wish that fur ball was back... there is a place in our hearts for our animals that have gone on, and I will always miss them! Thanks for your visit today :)
DeleteYour flowers smelled so beautiful tonight. Also, I really like your picture of Mister- such a nice portrait of him!
ReplyDelete~Raquel
www.atthenewlyweds.blogspot.com
Yes, Mr. Simba actually posed for me at the door. He usually doesn't care for the camera, lol! Appreciate your visit and comment today, much appreciated! :)
DeleteWhat a cute photo of Roger and Mr. Simba!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was quite amazed to see them curled up like that together! Precious moment! :)
DeleteMy gosh! I've had issues with deer in the past and pests but not my dog. Sending you a hug today. Ps. The blooms looked gorgeous in that bowl. A very good photograph.
ReplyDeleteI know. I've never had (or heard of) a dog that would do this. He just took out all my iris blooms today. I have enjoyed the blooms in the bowl though! I've learned to make lemonade out of the lemons... lol! Appreciate your visit, and pray the Lord's presence is with you today :)
DeleteMaybe your dog has problems with his digestive system? I've heard that when dogs or cats start eating a lot of grass it's because of that. If it is, maybe the vet will be able to fix that for you.
ReplyDelete~LadyH
www.havenofhearts.blogspot.com
Yes, we know he has problems with his digestive system, and has ever since we got him. The vet told me to add fiber to his diet, which I have, and that helped his diarrhea but still has not curbed his appetite for grass. I think it must be a something he just likes to do, just like chewing everything in sight, and eating dirt... oh my! Thank you for your visit today and for sharing your helpful thoughts, it is much appreciated! May the Lord bless you richly today :)
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