July 22, 2021
Pearl and the Squirrel
by Joey Bokor
by Joey Bokor
It seems there is always something chasing something in our yard. I was enjoying a mug of coffee in the garden this week when a squirrel started poking around a gutter on the side of the house. He looked like he was trying to break in through an exhaust fan. We cook a lot, so I'll bet it smells good there. When it saw me watching, it put up its tail like one of those birds of paradise
from the show Planet Earth, jumping around and putting on a display.
Then our dog, Pearl, saw it. Cocker Spaniels were originally bred to flush game out of low cover and while Pearl isn't much of a hunter, she sure tries. Last week when her animal instinct kicked in, she nearly got her paws on a squirrel that was helping itself to our bird feeder. Anyway, she watched this squirrel more out of entertainment than anything. She and I just sat there mesmerized by the fancy tail display.
And it was all a ruse. That squirrel was only pretending to sneak into the house. What it really wanted was my bumper crop of jaboticabas, which is my favorite tropical fruit tree. Not this time buddy. Me and my trusty spaniel are here watching.
Fortunately, Pearl is usually more interested in poking around outside, rather than inside the house and so she tends to leave our houseplants alone. However, if you have a pet that is always interested in your plants, below are our tips below for helping them coexist.
Then our dog, Pearl, saw it. Cocker Spaniels were originally bred to flush game out of low cover and while Pearl isn't much of a hunter, she sure tries. Last week when her animal instinct kicked in, she nearly got her paws on a squirrel that was helping itself to our bird feeder. Anyway, she watched this squirrel more out of entertainment than anything. She and I just sat there mesmerized by the fancy tail display.
And it was all a ruse. That squirrel was only pretending to sneak into the house. What it really wanted was my bumper crop of jaboticabas, which is my favorite tropical fruit tree. Not this time buddy. Me and my trusty spaniel are here watching.
Fortunately, Pearl is usually more interested in poking around outside, rather than inside the house and so she tends to leave our houseplants alone. However, if you have a pet that is always interested in your plants, below are our tips below for helping them coexist.
Deter Pets From Plants - Mix up a spray of lemon juice and
water and carefully spray the leaves and the top of the soil, or put some fresh citrus peels on the top of your plants. Cats especially, usually stay away from citrus.
Give Them Options - Our dog is pretty distracted by plastic pots and squirrels outside, but if your pet is more discriminating (like almost all cats), cat grass or catnip can be a way to distract them if they have a habit of chewing on plants.
Pets Getting Into Soil - If your pets are getting into the soil, they may be attracted by the smell and organic material that comes with rich, healthy dirt. One possibility is adding a top-dressing to cover the soil. Pebbles or moss can cover the soil and hide odors that may be attracting pets.
Plants That Are Pet Safe - Of course, if your pet is still curious, be sure that the houseplants you have indoors are pet-safe. The ASPCA has a list of plants that are safe and is our go-to reference. And for some of the pet-friendly plants that we have available in the online shop, click here. We promise your pets and plants can live together.
Give Them Options - Our dog is pretty distracted by plastic pots and squirrels outside, but if your pet is more discriminating (like almost all cats), cat grass or catnip can be a way to distract them if they have a habit of chewing on plants.
Pets Getting Into Soil - If your pets are getting into the soil, they may be attracted by the smell and organic material that comes with rich, healthy dirt. One possibility is adding a top-dressing to cover the soil. Pebbles or moss can cover the soil and hide odors that may be attracting pets.
Plants That Are Pet Safe - Of course, if your pet is still curious, be sure that the houseplants you have indoors are pet-safe. The ASPCA has a list of plants that are safe and is our go-to reference. And for some of the pet-friendly plants that we have available in the online shop, click here. We promise your pets and plants can live together.
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Valid Through 7/28/2021
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Highlights of This Week's New Arrivals
Click to Shop the Collection
New items won't show until they go live at 12pm EST on Thursday.
Aglaonema Katrina
Aglaonema Sparkling Sarah
Alocasia Bambino
Alocasia Mirror Face
Calathea Roseopicta
Calathea Shine Star
Calathea White Star
Chlorophytum Fire Flash
Dischidia Variegated Oiantha
Ficus Audrey
Ficus Umbelleta
Fiddle Leaf Fig Bambino
Fern Staghorn
Peperomia Cubenisis
Peperomia Marble
Philodendron 69686
Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron Bob Cee
Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron Glad Hands
Philodendron Golden Crocodile
Philodendron Golden Horsehead
Philodendron Melinonii
Philodendron Pink Princess
Philodendron Red Emerald
Philodendron Tortum
Pothos Neon
Scindapsus Moonlight Treubii
Z-Z Plant Raven
Click to Shop the Collection
New items won't show until they go live at 12pm EST on Thursday.
Aglaonema Katrina
Aglaonema Sparkling Sarah
Alocasia Bambino
Alocasia Mirror Face
Calathea Roseopicta
Calathea Shine Star
Calathea White Star
Chlorophytum Fire Flash
Dischidia Variegated Oiantha
Ficus Audrey
Ficus Umbelleta
Fiddle Leaf Fig Bambino
Fern Staghorn
Peperomia Cubenisis
Peperomia Marble
Philodendron 69686
Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron Bob Cee
Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron Glad Hands
Philodendron Golden Crocodile
Philodendron Golden Horsehead
Philodendron Melinonii
Philodendron Pink Princess
Philodendron Red Emerald
Philodendron Tortum
Pothos Neon
Scindapsus Moonlight Treubii
Z-Z Plant Raven
