Yes I am really in Zone 2, not as frigid as it sounds. We have some beautiful gardens up here believe it or not. I grow a lot of plants rated zone 4 or zone 5. Plants are a lot tougher than nurseries seem to think. We get piles of snow, and I mulch so most plants make the winter with flying colors. Im not really into the old machinery look,I have seen old wagons, but they are usually filled with flowers, so that means high maintenance, but like the idea of a bench and we have an abundance of big rocks. Does any one have some pictures? Open to any ideas, I would like to get creative with this area, but keep any plantings, to plants that can survive without irrigation.

These people make a flow meter. Looks like this one is used for utilities, but maybe they have a home unit or could direct you to someone who does. jb Here is a link that might be useful: Badger Meter

Monica, isn't amazing how we as humans are just NOW beginning to realize how much emotion our 4 legged and winged friends actually have? It would absolutely have broken my heart to go through that! I'm with you....get another dog now!!!! One of my favorite things about this forum is seeing how many people here really do take the needs of their 4 legged charges as seriously as their two legged charges; it is so heartwarming. I often wonder if Ellie would rather have another dog to play with.. She loves going to doggie daycare so much but there's been a few times that she's not been too happy when another dog has wandered onto her turf. I'm ready to add another but my husband won't even consider it. In addition to the added costs and upkeep, he feels very strongly that she wouldn't adjust well to it. About the DNA, it doesn't matter if a dog is mixed or AKC, there is a kit available for both, but wow, the price has gone up considerably from 65.00 to 84.00 (in just 2 years!) Here's the one for Mixed breed https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Mixed-Breed-DNA-Test/dp/B004GFN2ZA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1467058761&sr=8-5&keywords=dna+test+kit+for+dogs

You could hook a water hose timer up inline. I would think that it would have adequate flow for a 3/4 inch pipe. What I would recommend using instead if you are worried about flow is a solenoid valve and irrigation controller. There are controllers that use batteries .