You won't need rocks actually IN the pond for the toads. They're air breathers, and they will prefer to sit in a sheltered, cool area outside the pond during the day. When you initially fill your pond, go ahead and use tap water. The chlorine will evaporate before the toads and frogs find the new pond. But when you need to "top off" the pond, that is add water after some of it has evaporated, you can "age" the water by putting water in a bucket and allowing it to sit out for 24 hours or so before adding it to the pond. That allows time for the chlorine to evaporate. Yes, you are correct. A liner is a strip of (usually) black rubber, very flexible, and can be shaped to the size you want. Mosquito dunks are donut shaped objects that you place in the water to prevent mosquito larvae from hatching. You can find them at any garden center, but if you have a small pump in your pond to keep the water moving, you won't need them. Mosquitos cannot lay their eggs on water that has a current. If you can get at least two feet wide and 12 inches deep on your pond, I think you'll be okay. Remember, the smaller you go, the bigger the water loss due to evaporation, and that will make it harder to maintain a healthy balance for the tads. You will get algae in the pond. Tadpoles eat algae, so if there is none, you can buy algae wafers at pet stores to feed the little guys.

Hardin, try the link below for lots of photographs of Northern Cricket Frogs. They are kind of rough-skinned and it makes them look like young toads. "Horton" Here is a link that might be useful: Northern Cricket Frog photographs

Cena, Jasmine was a real beauty! I'm sorry to hear you've lost her. They become such a huge part of our lives. My sister, whose also a cat lover, has had a hard time with getting cats who end up with feline leukemia, which means she's ended up losing a few at a pretty young age. I get so attached so fast, it would just break my heart. At least when they're older, you know they had a long, good life... Not that it really makes it easier. I lost my two before Samantha at 17, so about the time she turned 15 or 16, I started to prepare myself mentally for "the dreaded day." Well, I was lucky to have her a few more years, and one day, she woke up from a nap, acted weird for a few minutes and I realized she was suddenly blind. I'm sure she'd had a stroke as she couldn't walk quite right and was running into things. Of course, when I took her to the vet, I knew what had to be done, and he just HAD to suggest some tests. I told him, "You know, it seems obvious to me that I shouldn't put my very dear and very OLD friend through a battery of tests when I know in my heart that it's the end of her life..." I know they probably have to suggest it, but wouldn't you think that they'd have a little more compassion for putting the equivilent of a 96-year-old human through invasive tests... As for the reference to "cow kitties," that's how a lot of people refer to white cats with black spots. The lady who has the momma kitty to mine called them "cow kitties", but in my book, they aren't as "cow" as my male cat, Baby, who I had from 1977 to 1994. His spots were more random and roundish, dark black. I'll have to dig out an old photo and scan it to post a pic. He was the most photogenic cat I think I've ever seen! To me, he was a REAL cow kitty! Denise in Omaha

He tells me they are a toad, not a frog, all though I don't know the difference. Check the link below, colokid, as well as this one: How to tell the difference between frogs and toads I have always associated frogs with lakes or ponds, while toads were more of a dry land amphibian, but I think I have been mistaken! I wish I had toads in my garden, but with three mini-Dachshunds and a Shepherd/Malamute mix of my own, plus the neighborhood cats, no such luck. I've never actually seen one around here, but I used to have garter snakes in my garden, but if they are still around, they keep themselves well hidden. :-( Holly Here is a link that might be useful: Frogs vs Toads