One of the homes where our family lived was surrounded by many large, older shrubs. At one point the large camellia in front of the house needed to be taken out..... it was no longer healthy.
When we decided to remove it we really had no idea how difficult this would be. Cutting it down was one thing, but getting the root system out was a different story. We dug, and we chopped, and we labored to get the main root out, finally fastening a chain around it and trying to pull it out with our truck. It took several tries.
Then the children helped pull out some of the large roots that were left as their dad dug around them. Finally, because it was a hot day, everyone just sat on the grass to rest.
At this point our little Mini-Schnauzer/mutt went over there and started to dig. The dirt was just flying. He loved to dig in the garden, and this was one time it wouldn't hurt because there already was a mess everywhere from this project. There were still a lot of little roots in the soil, and every time he found one he would try to pull it out with his teeth. If it didn't come out right away he would growl and pull, then dig, and growl and snort and pull and dig, until it finally came loose. Then he would find another root and do the same thing again. He was hilarious, and it really did seem like he was trying to do his part to help. He worked so hard at it that the kids had to stop him and make him rest. His little chest was just heaving from the exertion because of the hot weather.
We didn't expect the dog to help us, but it was certainly entertaining. And he did pull out quite a few roots. And then he got to ride in the truck (another one of his favorite things) as the fellows went to the dump with all the debris. The only thing that might have spoiled his day is that he needed a bath afterwards... his fur was full of loose dirt. He didn't like to get a bath!
© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf