Although my own black Lab has never rescued me from an 11,239-foot mountain, she has saved the day more than once.

It’s hard not to notice them sitting there under a tree with their table and makeshift sign, jumping up and waving each time a car goes by. Slow down, they say. Take a break. Buy some lemonade.

She wasn’t going to miss out on growing season, she says, as she tenderly places a tomato plant into the great big hole I just dug. Big but not quite big enough. Make it deeper.