So we need some design ideas to landscape/hardscape the area around the north and east side of our soon to be built pool. The plan below shows this area (as landscape but will not look like this) and is 8' wide on the north side and about 5'5" on the east side. Our young energetic dogs currently run laps and chase around our yard and have created muddy paths. They will probably be doing laps and running around the pool when it's built. We would like something that not just sod, since they will make a muddy mess again, but if we do pavers with gravel we need to make sure it will be soft on their feet and not something they will kick up and fall into the pool or will slide on or tear up as they run.