The Loss of a Pet

Many of you have visited us here at Shady Gardens and enjoyed meeting our chickens. Hearing the names of them usually brings a smile--Barney, Thelma Lou, and the Fun Girls, Daphne and Skippy. Several weeks ago we were saddened with the loss of Skippy after a lengthy illness. Skippy was a good chicken. Although she was never much of an egg layer, she certainly did her part as a member of our Insect Control Team. Skippy was the only hen that would not put up with Barney's foolishness (you know how roosters are!) We will certainly miss her.

Cocoa Bean Mulch: Poison for Pets!

For years, I have longed for the sweet-smelling cocoa bean mulch for my garden, after hearing it mentioned numerous times on TV gardening shows. But now it seems that it can be harmful to pets if ingested. You can imagine how a dog with a sweet tooth might taste cocoa bean mulch, since it smells just like chocolate, which also is harmful to dogs. If you'd like to read more, go to Pet Poison Alert - Cocoa Bean Mulch.