It’s spring, and during times when the sun peeks out between Oregon clouds, my heart begins to sing … and I want to get creative.

I am fortunate to enjoy my many pets. I have two dogs, two cats, an assortment of chickens and a lone duck that decided to make our place his home. Even so, I cannot get enough of animals. I place bird feeders near windows so that I can enjoy watching active humming birds and the assortment of seed-eating birds. Occasionally an eagle will fly overhead, and it always makes me catch my breath.

So today I thought it would be nice to look through our animals stencils and see which one will find its way on my new spring planter boxes. To honor my two dogs … one a mixed-breed puppy and the other a shepherd … I think I will decorate with them in mind. (Keeping the planters high as my puppy still digs and chews.)