Non-Profit News

Dear Porky & Buddy: I am about ready to put a flower garden in for the first time and I’m wondering whether you have any suggestions about how to dog and cat proof it. Not so much using chemicals or fertilizers—I know about that, but I am hoping that they will not ruin it. Are there plants that you would recommend or not recommend? Signed, Sylvia

Dear Sylvia,

Here is what you need to understand. For dogs and cats there is no such thing as a garden. There is a place in the yard where the soil is loose and great for digging if you’re a dog and great as a potty if you’re a cat.

So as a general rule, the less bare easy to dig soil you have in your garden, the better. A new garden will always have those bare spots but you can make them less tempting by filling them in with pieces of drift wood maybe, or twiggy branches (which also make good plant supports) or garden gnomes. (No seriously, your pets will be too embarrassed to be seen next to them. Uh oh! Have we offended anyone?)

If your dog is a serious digger, you might want to consider providing a digging nirvana so the garden will seem less so. By that we mean just a sandbox off in a shady place where you can hide toys and treats and make a fun game of it. Teach him to steal and bury the garden gnomes!

Or maybe your dog just really likes to hang out in a shady spot behind your fanciest shrub. It’s like a cave. Let him.

And if your cats go out, how about planting some catnip. It’s a pretty perennial plant with blue flowers, called Nepeta in the garden trade. To be honest, if your cats are attracted to it, it will always look a little ragged where they roll around in it, but you will have so much fun watching you won’t care.

Speaking of gardening, the Oliver Paine Greenhouse Spring Fundraiser is Saturday and Sunday ,May 14th and 15th from 9 to 6 at 125 South Granby Road just south of Fulton off Rt. 48. Download the flier from the Oswego County Humane Society website at www.oswegohumane.org to bring with you and 15th of your plant purchases will be donated to the Humane Society.

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County. Located at 110 West Second Street, Oswego, New York. Phone (315) 2,07-1070. Email: ochscontact@hotmail.com Website: www.oswegohumane.org Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.