I have a small preformed pond just off my front porch. When our neighbor got a yellow lab pup, there was a constant battle to try (unsuccessfully) to keep her out of the pond. She's a really nice well mannered dog, but just couldn't resist that open water. I don't mind her coming over to visit (I have a boxer mix and they go back and forth between our properties on a pretty constant basis). Rather than continuing to fight a losing battle, I opted to convert the pond to a pondless water feature. Here is the project in progress, still working on it:
I've planted the back side with blood grass and plan to add native wild ginger around the perimeter, with some trillium here and there for a bit of pop. We've left a small section open for the animals to get drinking water, and I'm now starting to get birds using the bubblers for drinks/baths. Hopefully by the end of next season, it will look less raw and start to fill in with plants again. I'm also considering sinking a pot or two of marginal plants among the cobble, but will let it sit for a while before making that decision.
I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.
