GARDEN FANATIC: How to pet-proof your garden

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”

— Robert A. Heinlein

Time spent in the garden with your favorite cat(s) and/or dog(s) can be one of the greatest pleasures a gardener enjoys. With spring upon us, their presence is a calming influence, which insulates us from the pressure of attempting to become thinner, tanner and richer prior to summer. However, not every furry friend has a home nor does every home have a furry friend … quite a shame.

That’s where RUFF (Rescue Unwanted Furry Friends) volunteers care for unwanted pets, educate humans about pet responsibility and work as a matchmaker for homeless pets and petless homes.

A few Sundays ago, Catharine and I had the pleasure of spending time with amiable cats and dogs that believe in the Easter Bunny and wished to be photographed with their family and friends.

The sight of cats and dogs cavorting in a backyard gladdens my heart. The sight of my dogs chasing birds they’ll never catch may give me as much pleasure as their rediscovery of a bone in a newly planted flower bed.

Trying to completely control pets in a garden is difficult and unfair. All cats and some dogs are intelligent and are able to figure things out pretty quickly. A loudspeaker or motion sensor illumination may startle a cat for a period, but eventually it will realize that these devices are harmless and should be ignored. Cats can be discouraged from digging in newly planted areas by spraying the soil with a repellent that is available at local nurseries.

Dogs can transform a garden, from good to battered, especially when allowed to run freely in a small yard; hence the need for a full-size Bark Park. The damage is obvious: crushed or trampled plants, holes in the lawn and dug-up soil. As a bonus, there are the ubiquitous droppings in all the wrong places.

Discourage dogs from unwanted digging or making deposits by spraying the affected area with a repellent or by constructing a temporary fence. Over time, they will respect the new boundary and be less likely to stray once the fence is removed. It is important to provide both a desirable location to play and firm discipline. Truly dog-proof areas are now available by installing an invisible fence that gives a wandering pup a mild electrical shock.

For more information about RUFF, visit www.ruffrescue.org. See you next time.

STEVE KAWARATANI is married to writer Catharine Cooper and has one cat and five dogs. He can be reached at (949) 497-8168, or e-mail to [email protected]