If “Let’s eat out!” at Courtesy of Susan Gottlieb


Set up a tunnel that is fun to run through or hide in; it can also be a cool shady spot to rest. A large pipe made of recycled material works well; cover it with soil and plant groundcover. Kids likewise will love sharing the pit and tunnel with Fido. Felines, too, enjoy the outdoors,


but keeping them from becoming pred- ators or prey requires a bit of planning. Susan Gottlieb, owner of G2 Gallery, who donates all gallery proceeds to environmental causes, replaced the exotic plants in her yard with native species. So her cats could enjoy the garden safely, she built an open-air cat run, composed of rubber-matted wood


your house translates into “Fire up the grill,” be sure it is stabilized on a firm surface, so that speeding kids and curious canines can’t upend the grill and spill the hot coals along with the turkey dogs.


planks enclosed in a wire mesh tunnel. Ground-level playpens invite games and snoozes. Viewing platforms wind up to the roof for safe sunbathing on cool days and birdwatching with- out harm to songbirds. The National Wildlife Federation has designated her Beverly Hills garden as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. “A backyard is not a babysitter,” remarks Cheryl Smith, author of Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs. “Find a livable solution. It’s easier than getting rid of the problem.”


bird season. Children can help to attract these fun visitors by keeping the bath and feeders full.


FISH CAN COEXIST. Surround a pond with greenery to shade the fish. Strate- gic plantings also may help camouflage a koi pond from raccoons, opossums and birds of prey. “Opossums won’t dive in, but


can grab a fish that gets too close to the surface or the pond’s edge,” notes Aaron Burchett, of the Pond Market, in St. Louis, Missouri. A depth of three feet is enough to keep fish safe from raccoons. Make a cave in the side or bottom and build a rock overhang, so the fish can hide. ”


When outside temperatures dip


below freezing, use a pond heater to maintain an opening should ice form. This both lets oxygen in and lets gases from decomposing plants and animal waste escape while the fish hibernate. Setting up a well-cleaned, bi- or tri-lev- el water fountain for kids and dogs to drink from makes a nice water feature, as well. Keep in mind that a people- and animal-friendly yard is a work in prog- ress, so this summer’s plans can con- tinue to build.


“Creating a bird-friendly yard is a great way to bring the family together outdoors. Birds can add a tremendous amount of life and beauty to our surroundings, whether it’s a group of hummingbirds hovering around a feeder, a robin splashing in a bird bath or a black phoebe perched on the fence.”


~ Graham Chisholm, executive director, Audubon California


Sandra Murphy is a freelance writer based in St. Louis, MO. Connect at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.


Helpful Websites Butterfly attractors:


TheGardenHelper.com/ butterflyflowers.html


Hummingbird attractors: Hummingbirds.net/attract.html


Courtesy of Audubon California


Pond and fish facts: PondMarket.com


INVITE WILDLIFE. Butterflies look for specific species of flowers and require a protected place to rest. A birdbath and fresh seed will attract birds and squirrels. Hummingbirds like hanging sugar-water feeders, which should be filled daily during the local humming-


Plants hazardous to dogs: ansci.cornell.edu/plants/dogs/ index.html


Poison control center:


aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control; emergency helpline 888-426-4435


natural awakenings pet Summer 2011 13


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