Gardening with Gael - MENAGERIE MOVES IN TO BLOCK

BEWARE OF THE DOG: For now, Border Terrier pup Barney is just too cute to scare possums.

Over the summer the population of residents at the Block increased. An influx of rabbits eating the new grapes, the ongoing waves of  possums looking for fresh new ground, the occasional stoat, rats and mice had Box seriously thinking about a dog. 

“A border terrier,” suggested Jo Roberts, “that’s what you need. I know of one and it is brilliant at getting all the predators you mentioned.” 

Box Googled border terriers and, knowing that I am not really a dog person, presented me with the benefits and showed me some photos. A dog that looks more like Box I have yet to see but I remained silent on that opinion and declared that if a dog was to be got then it looked like a good one. The websites assured us that border terriers are affectionate, intelligent, alert, obedient, even-tempered and fearless. The dilemma of the Christmas present was solved.

Snails are prolific on the Block. There are millions of them. Our granddaughters Florence and Bea delight in overturning rocks and wood and peering among the plants to find them. It is an easy game. 

“Ducks are what we need,” announced Box. “They will take care of the snails. And,” he said quietly to himself, “I think maybe some chooks.” 

Barney the border terrier, aged 10 weeks, arrived just before Christmas. A roly poly happy little teddy bear of a dog, at this stage it is hard to imagine the fear and terror he will strike among the possum population. As sociable as the website suggested, he has a fan club already. Naturally Jo is the president and I cannot believe how quickly he has engaged my affections. Border terriers were bred on the border of Scotland and England to kill vermin. They were also used to run with the foxhounds and horses , their bodies small enough to drag the foxes from their burrows.

Box spent his weeks off work building homes for Barney, the ducks and the chooks. Teaching Barney that his reign of terror will not include the ducks is Box’s priority. A team of six khaki campbells, the ducks are remaining close to the one dam that holds water. I forage for snails on their behalf and feed them to them in the hope they get the idea and begin searching for themselves. The bearded irises and the daylilies shelter dozens and I hope they realise it some time soon. 

“Be patient,” says Box, showing a great deal of it himself as he carefully builds a relationship of mutual respect between Barney and the ducks.