pm2 - yes, even a 'failed' dog from Dog Guides is pretty amazing. The socialization they get during their puppyhood time in a foster home is invaluable - and something you can't replicate with your own dog. The Dog Guide puppies go EVERYWHERE with the foster 'parents' e.g. in stores, restaurants, offices; at all sorts of public events and public places, etc. etc. The foster process is designed to expose them as many new things as possible, as well as give them basic obedience training, so nothing bothers them and they are calm in unfamiliar places. One of Cole's issues is that he is still a bit too excitable and overly friendly (wants to jump up on people!) so he still needs training in that regard. He's still basically a puppy - he'll be 2 years old on the 27th of this month. When he first came he wasn't walking nicely on leash so we used the training collar combination that Dog Guides uses when the dogs are in training - a Halti combined with a martingale (the one with a loop of chain under the throat - not a full chain collar.) The leash gets attached to both collars - instant easy walking with none of the snaky, evasive manoeuvres you often see with dogs on a Halti collar alone. I'd never seen collars used like that until we started volunteering at Dog Guides. Cole now walks nicely (most of the time!) with just the martingale collar. This is what the arrangement looks like: If you're ever having trouble getting a dog to walk nicely on leash, try this arrangement! Dog Guides breeds their own dogs - although some are donated by breeders too. Cole is a miniature poodle although I think they may crossbreed the different sizes of poodles as there are some standards that are smaller than normal and some minatures that are larger than usual. They use a smaller one than Cole for a lot of HED but I think they're a bit bigger than 'toy' size so may be a cross with a miniature (?) If you love dogs, it's a fabulous place to volunteer! As for accomodating the dogs in the garden.... The main thing is to accomodate their need to patrol territory and explore and play so they aren't bored when outside! The path network in the backyard has paths along the side fences and near the back fence. Because of the 'wet corner' the back path does not follow the back fence and there is a short (6") iron fence (just a cheapie ornamental thing) along the edge of the 'wet corner' bed to keep them out of the mud in the spring - they recognize it as a barrier and stay out. On the NW side of the back fence there is a small bank against the fence so the path runs at the base of the bank and the plantings are tough enough there so they aren't damanged when the dogs visit with the neighbours' two through the fence... :-) traffic patterns considered in layout: neater version of layout: Callie doesn't dig - but Cole has started to excavate one place just off the patio recently! So we need to train him not to do that! Callie's breed does indeed include Cairn terriers in the mix - see link.... Noodle sounds sweet - pictures...? Do you still make her cookies? Cole eats commercial dog food - and we make the dog cookies in small training-treat size pieces to use when working on training (which is constant at his age....) thyme - we were posting at the same time.... thank you - and back at you re the gardens - I always enjoy seeing yours (especially the fall color pictures which have inspired me to pay more attention to that here....) This post was edited by woodyoak on Thu, Aug 8, 13 at 17:44

Thank you every one for the very nice comments.I thought I had already posted some follow ups on this post, but, guess I didn't.About me forgetting the names of some and had to delete them, what I usually do is,I bring a little note pad out with me, and some times,I walk through and see whats blooming, and ones I want to take pictures of,and write the name of them in this note pad.Then when I have my list made up,I go back and take the pictures,and put a ck mark by the one I just took the picture of,, or other times, I will take the photos, then write its name down on my note pad.When I load it into the pc,its all in order just like I took them..but that day,I had took several pictures and when I went to write them down in the note pad, the daughter showed up,and i got distracted,and thought no big deal,I will remember them, but,later,I didn't remember what I took pictures of. Thank you for looking at them,and commenting on them, Jean

Oh goodness GG, what a wonderful tour! You sure picked a good day to post it too....takes some of the dreary out of a stormy, rainy, and otherwise dreary day. And of course I had to read your last couple of posts too. You have some great reblooms going on there. Also read your post on the "unlucky groundhog", poor thing. Looking forward to day two tours now. Jan

Random placement: I haven't had that problem, but I always make sure my curser is at the bottom of the page when I start to upload a photo. If you've clicked outside the message box, the curser sends the photo (or link) to the top of the message (or where ever the curser is in the message.)