Anyone who has a Newfoundland or multiple large dogs know that it’s very difficult to have nice things for long.
At no fault of their own, they are just hard on anything that they come in contact with.
What’s yours is theirs and what’s theirs is theirs.
Carpet, floors, walls, yards, baseboards, cabinets, furniture, grass, flowers, car interiors, windows. You name it. It doesn’t last long or it doesn’t last at all.
This weekend we were reminded of that as we started preparing our backyard for summer.
We have an average size yard. It’s not too big and it’s not too small.
It would actually be bigger if it wasn’t broken into sections.
But it has to be broken into sections because we have a dog that likes to eat rocks.
So be it.
We’ll address those sections later in the summer as we tear our deck down in order to expand the yard.
Right now we’re focusing on the biggest section of the yard. The part where ALL dogs can go.
It’s slowly coming along. The grass is finally growing in where the pool once stood. (for anyone who has multiple large dogs you understand what a win that this)
Actually the grass is the best it’s looked in years. Nice and thick and filled with dandelion wishes.
And we finally saved up enough money to buy a new gazebo to replace the one we lost a few years ago during a bad summer storm.
This was the weekend to finally set that up.
A few minutes after my husband began the assembly I came out to help.
Of course the dogs followed me up and as soon as they did my husband shot me the death glare.
“What? They want to be outside helping too.” I said.
“If you or them destroy this before I even get it up I’m going to be very mad.”
(That may not of been his exact words but I’ll keep this post PG-13.)
And then Leroy walked into the one side of the gazebo that wasn’t secured yet and knocked it over.
It came crashing down.
I stood there frozen refusing to make eye contact with my husband.
We headed in the house with our tails between our legs.
A few hours later we were allowed back out again and both the boys peed on opposite corners of the gazebo.
The gazebo remained nice and new for a total of 25 minutes. Perhaps a new household record.
So what about you? How long can you have a nice things?
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
Saturday 28th of May 2016
At 25 lbs., Ducky is hardly what I would call a "large" dog; BUT there are times when she wreaks more havoc in the backyard than Callie and Shadow ever did together at the same age. And we can't plant new grass either for fear she'll try to eat it! But the tree people are coming in a few weeks to clean out the dead branches and the off-shoots that are resting on the roof. Maybe - just maybe - once that's done, the sun will re-awaken the grass that's been lying dormant the last several years.
Jan K
Friday 27th of May 2016
Trust me, they don't have to necessarily be large dogs to prevent you from having nice things. I say this as just a few hours ago, Luke went crashing through our screen door. Excited dogs can be just as destructive as big dogs. :)
Two French Bulldogs
Wednesday 25th of May 2016
It always amazes us how people actually find ticks. They seem so little. Good info Lily & Edward
Jen
Wednesday 25th of May 2016
Thank you friends!
Dr. Liz
Wednesday 25th of May 2016
Mine aren't really destroying things (although at 76 lbs, Abby's current prednisone-related weight, she's not really a big dog, just her Larger Self at the moment), unless you count Abby's Prednisone Pee leaving crop circles in my yard.... Ah well... I didn't really want to fill in the bare spots in the yard this year anyway.... ;-)
Jen
Wednesday 25th of May 2016
At least she's not peeing in the house! I remember when Leroy was on pred and he had a few accidents in the house! It was like our very own built in lake.
2 Brown Dawgs
Tuesday 24th of May 2016
LOL so true. Can't have nice things with dogs.
Jen
Wednesday 25th of May 2016
Or kids, lol :) I was destined not to have nice things.