I love the pictures of Emma! How did you get them inserted with a reasonable size rather than gargantuan like mine? Unfortunately, we've been dogless for two years. Because of the amount that I currently travel, it is probably going to be a couple more years before I can defend getting a pair of goldens again. BTW - I subscribe to the theory that goldens are much happier in pairs. Ours used to sit patiently under a big pine tree (where the large pond is now located) for hours after they chased a squirrel into it. What type of snail would work? I am not aware of any places locally where I can capture wild ones. Will the pet store variety work? Are frogs likely to stick around or will they go "on a walkabout"? Do I need to introduce plants before fish? Right now, the pond is pretty sterile. In a week or two, when the flowering trees drop their blossoms, some organic matter will inevitably end up on the bottom of the pond. BTW - we are at 1/4 mile from the nearest natural body of water. So, no need to be concerned about prison breaks by the pond critters.

Hi Jessica,In a nut shell ,the stock tank comes with a side/bottom drain,so if on land, you can drain it ... But I installed a shower drain in the middle/bottom of the stock tank (and sloped the ground towards the center),and I also installed a pool skimmer on the side (just under the little bridge ,you can't see it )(There once was a pool here and I am pool savy.)..The pool pump is also under the bridge ,The pump draws water from the bottom drain I installed and from the skimmer ....if the water level falls below the skimmers lowest point it will draw water from the bottom drain only...the skimmer gets grass bugs etc....the bottom drain gets the sand etc.....once thru the pump the water is filterd thru the ole pool filter (100 pound sand filter ) once filtered it is discharged thru a "tee" and is delived back to the stock tank and also up to the black pond where it waterfalls back into the stock tank (I can control the water flow to the black pond with a valve....) So it really is a pool more than a pond,a little clorox from time to time (1/4 cup) and the pump/filter running 8 hours aday is all it takes to keep it clean ...There is always a little dirt in the bottom,I don't keep it so clean kids would want to jump in ....and every now and then I need to disassemble the pump to clean the impellar of a small rock or grass....but dog hair does not seem to be an issue .... Anyone is more than welcome to drive to my home and see this and see all my mistakes .....next year I hope to improve the pond a bit more ....see ya Jim BTW, if you come, bring a big rock with ya would ya ,I want to hide more of the black pond!

Hi scottspond, some how didn't think she would, Florida vs Manchester, no contest really ;-) The area I live in is New Mills, in High Peak in Derbyhsire. If it doesn't ring a bell, it's just past Lyme park, Buxton is about 2 miles away, Stockport 9 miles and Manchester 20 miles (all via road) Handily the railway station is about 5 mins away from my home, so trips to Manchester are pleasent through the countyside and don't require I use the car ;-) And in summer I get to hop on the odd steam trian, every boys dream. My Mancunian mates reckon I've gone "all posh" living here, as I was born and grew up in Fallowfield and went to school in Rusholme. Regards ChrisC.

Hi there ; That is an adorable little Racoon!!! However......Many racoons get Rabies. Never go near them even if they are babies. I've gone through the Health Dept. routine more than once in recuing babies. Here it's against the Law to house or treat them and such a hassle if the police, vets, health dept. etc. finds out you have even handled one. They don't always show when they are sick in the beginning of the disease and the babies can get it from their Mom. So...Please...Don't get too close and keep children and pets away too.