Man and Best Friend at the Landis Arboretum

By Sam McClary

Sam and Precious at Landis
Sam and Precious at Landis

When I first make people’s acquaintance, they are generally surprised to learn I have a Pomeranian. Apparently, I don’t strike people as the “soft and fluffy” kind of dog person. It probably doesn’t help that I am 6’2” and tip the scales at 240 pounds, sporting a plethora of tattoos and piercings.

But looks can really be deceiving.

My Pomeranian, “Precious,“ is five fluffy, adorable pounds of terror, or at least so she thinks. When my wife Morgan first brought her home, I was assuming she was your standard run-of-the-mill ankle biter. Yes, she’s noisy and yappy and can be a little skittish around anything big, loud, or unexpected. But when I started to get to know her, I found she was at her calmest, happiest, best self when outdoors. After taking a few short hikes and seeing how she held up, I knew we had a new hiking partner. After Morgan and I discovered the Arboretum, it wasn’t long before we decided to see how Precious would like it. It was a resounding success.

The Arboretum is an important resource for so many more reasons than people realize. It is a place where all creatures, both human and otherwise, great and small, can stretch their muscles, their awareness, and their imagination. Together, my dog and I explored nature and that subtle, often underestimated, human to non-human relationship. And I was able to work on staying in shape while identifying the Arboretum’s countless trees and plants and a myriad of bird life.

Precious? She does what dog’s do: sniff here, roll there, walk through the mud here and there. She loves exploring – and encouraging me to do the same. I was also able to encourage Precious to be a little more sociable with other dogs. As long as the other dog owners are on board, it’s a great opportunity to see how your dog acts around other furry friends.

Landis has always welcomed well-behaved, leashed dogs and their people. With the exception of just a few times a year (plant sales and the 5K races), you can bring your dog for a short romp or a long walk on our trails. It is important to pick up your pet’s waste. Please use the waste collection stations located near the parking lot kiosk and the Meeting House.

Plant people? Dog people? People people? Come to the Arboretum, stretch your legs, your leashes, and your mind!


Summer 2023

Volume 41 , Number 2

Share this

The Latest from Landis

Mar 24, 2025 | Executive Director Fred Breglia

From the Director’s Desk: Looking Back -- Landis Over the Years

When I began working at Landis as a horticulturist in 1998, the Horticulture Committee issued... read more

Mar 24, 2025 |  Erin McKenna Breglia

From the Garden: Dwarf Conifers 

Landis is home to many great collections including oak and beech, ferns and native plants... read more

Mar 24, 2025 | Shayne Mitchell

News and Muse from the Bluebird Trail

Trail Monitoring Report​All nest boxes were inspected and cleaned out in late August after nesting... read more

Mar 24, 2025

Price Chopper Donates to Landis

The Landis Arboretum was the recent recipient of a generous donation from Price Chopper/Market 32... read more

Mar 24, 2025 | Wilma Jozwiak

Plans are In Place for a Great Season at Landis!

As I write this, our street is a sheet of ice, but spring IS on... read more

Mar 24, 2025 | Anita Sanchez

Love Those Groundhogs, Hate Those Woodchucks

In February, everyone loves groundhogs. They’re plump, cute, and look as though they’d enjoy a... read more

News Archive