A messy backyard. A few busy bees. One surprisingly important lesson.
By Kevin
Daddy says every spring the backyard “needs work.”
Personally, I thought it looked fine already. There were sticks. There was mud. There were mysterious smells. That’s basically everything a backyard needs. But apparently humans are “particular.”
So Saturday morning Daddy marched outside wearing his “yard work clothes,” which are really just regular clothes he’s emotionally prepared to destroy. Cricket was reading a science magazine on the deck, Biscuit had somehow acquired a wheelbarrow and safety goggles, and I was mostly there for morale support and possible snack opportunities.
“Today,” Daddy announced dramatically, “we are cleaning this yard up properly.”
Biscuit saluted. “Sir yes sir!”
Daddy pointed at a giant pile of fallen branches near the fence. “Those need to go.” Then he pointed at weeds. “Those need to go.” Then he pointed at the old flower bed. “And that whole thing needs to be fixed.”
Biscuit adjusted her goggles. “This sounds like a job for Evil Inc. Landscaping Division.”
Cricket didn’t even look up from her magazine. “You once killed a cactus.”
“Who knew Cactus hate snow” Biscuit muttered.
The work began immediately. Daddy raked leaves. Cricket organized tools into neat categories because apparently she finds that relaxing. Biscuit pushed the wheelbarrow around at unsafe speeds while yelling things like “CONSTRUCTION ZONE!” and “WORKPLACE SAFE is a STATE of MIND!”
And me? I discovered something important. Near the old flower bed was a tiny patch of flowers I’d never noticed before. Small purple ones hiding underneath some tall grass. And beside them… Bees. Tiny fuzzy bees buzzing around the flowers.
I froze.
Now normally bees are concerning because they are tiny sky needles. But these bees looked busy. Happy even. One landed on a flower and wiggled around like it had just won the lottery.
I trotted over to Cricket. “Cricket… why are the spicy fly-things dancing in the flowers?”
Cricket lowered her magazine. “The bees?”
“The pokey guys.”
“They’re pollinating.”
I stared at her. “…that sounds illegal.”
Cricket laughed. “No, Kevin. They carry pollen from flower to flower. It helps plants grow.”
I looked back toward the flowers. “So they’re tiny garden workers?”
“Basically, yes.”
That changed everything. Because Daddy was heading toward the flower bed with a shovel. I gasped. THE BEES’ OFFICE.
I sprinted across the yard. “DADDY NOOOOOOO!”
Daddy nearly dropped the shovel. “Kevin?! What happened?!”
I threw myself dramatically in front of the flowers. “You can’t wreck the bee business!”
Daddy blinked. “The what?”
“Their little flower job place! They’re WORKING!”
Biscuit immediately joined my side. “We cannot destroy local industry, Daddy. Think of the economy.”
Cricket wandered over. “To be fair, pollinators are actually really important.”
Daddy paused and looked closer at the flowers. And the bees. “Huh,” he admitted. “I didn’t even notice these.”
The bees kept buzzing around happily while we all stared at them. Even Biscuit got quiet for once, which honestly worried me more than the bees. Cricket crouched beside the flowers. “A lot of people clear everything out because they think it looks messy. But little patches like this help bees and butterflies.”
Daddy scratched his chin. “So my ugly flower bed is accidentally environmentally friendly?”
“Extremely,” Cricket said.
Biscuit pointed proudly at the weeds. “See? Neglect is sometimes conservation.”
“I don’t think that’s the official message here,” Daddy laughed.
Then he surprised us.
Instead of digging up the flowers, he grabbed a few stones from beside the shed and carefully made a little border around the patch.
“There,” he said. “Protected bee zone.”
I gasped. “A bee park!”
Biscuit nodded seriously. “We should charge admission.”
“No,” Cricket and Daddy said at the exact same time.
For the rest of the afternoon we cleaned the yard around the flowers instead of over them. Well… Most of us cleaned. At one point Biscuit tried to make “Bee Security Badges” and attempted to recruit squirrels into law enforcement. That part fell apart quickly.
But the tiny flower patch stayed safe.
And now every time I go outside, I check on the bees. They’re still working hard. Still buzzing around their tiny office. Still helping flowers grow while most humans walk right past without noticing. I think that happens a lot actually.
Sometimes the important things are little. Sometimes messy things are still good things. And sometimes before you “clean up” part of your life… it’s worth slowing down to see what’s quietly growing there first. Even if it’s surrounded by weeds.
Also Biscuit is no longer allowed to run “Bee Homeland Security.” Apparently the squirrels filed complaints.
Questions from readers, answered by the Pups! (send yours!)
Question from Diane in Alberta:
“Hey Cricket, my dog always spins in circles before lying down. Why do dogs do that? Is he trying to make himself dizzy or is there actually a reason for it?”
Cricket’s Answer:
Excellent question, Diane. And surprisingly, your dog is not just malfunctioning.
That spinning behaviour actually goes way back to dogs’ wild ancestors. Before dogs slept on fluffy beds, couches, and occasionally Daddy’s clean laundry, they used to sleep outside on grass, leaves, or dirt. Turning in circles helped flatten the area, check for uncomfortable objects, and possibly scare away bugs or snakes hiding nearby.
Basically, your dog is running ancient “bed preparation software” that still exists even though the modern sleeping surface is a memory foam mattress shaped like a banana.
Dogs also like routine. Spinning can help them feel settled and comfortable before resting — kind of like humans fluffing pillows or adjusting blankets seventeen times before sleeping.
Of course, if the spinning suddenly becomes excessive, frantic, or seems uncomfortable, that can sometimes point to pain, anxiety, or medical issues, so it’s always smart to keep an eye on changes in behaviour.
Biscuit says she spins before lying down because “the floor needs calibrating,” but veterinary science does not currently support this theory.
— Cricket ✔️
Biscuit latest new job? And somehow she created demand? See it on YouTube!
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The Dad, the Mom and all the Pups!
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