Zeke, Squeak and Tom have unconventional backyards, but they love them all the same.

Their small plots are dominated by a tall, gray soundwall — imposing, sure, but it doesn’t stop Zeke the chocolate lab from chomping on anything he can find. Or the neighbor cats Squeak and Tom from chasing down mice.

For a while, the future of these backyards and the homes in front of them was uncertain as state officials weighed an Interstate 15 widening plan that could’ve wiped out 14 houses in Salt Lake City’s Guadalupe neighborhood.

Now, these pets’ owners are breathing a sigh of relief after the Utah Department of Transportation announced it was dropping plans to enlarge the freeway south of 600 North, sparing houses on Argyle Court, Edmonds Place and 400 North.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Trib

See Full Page