That's a really nice offer. Things like that make this forum special and different from most of the other GW forums. I'd go crazy if I couldn't play in the dirt over the winter but working in the greenhouse still isn't the same, for me anyway. I do enjoy it but I'd rather be working outside even if it's with container plants. Being down here makes me want to move so badly. I wish my older kids wanted to go. It's such a pleasure to wake up to warm sunny skies and not worry about snow, ice and freezing temps. Not only that but real estate is so cheap here now. You can find a gorgeous home in Boca or even Coral Gables for 600K or even less. The last time we were looking about 6 years ago the same homes were almost double that!

Hi Eliza, I don't know if this might be same than what we had. When getting this house inspected before buying, the inspector explained us about some vertical "stains" in one of the front glasses which we thought were lack of cleaning. As the outside brick wall was not properly maintained, and the weather hits badly on that side, some kind of mineral had "leached" from the wall on the glass. The glass had to be changed, as there's only one known chemical capable of quitting it, which is not used anymore for being extremely hazardous -as per the inspector said. I don't remember the name of the mineral, but probably it is in the report. If you wish I can pull the report, and see if it's in there. This might not be your case anyway, and I hope not! Anyway, maybe you can try in a tiny piece if those little knifes to remove spots of paint on glass does the trick?

Unfortunately I have worst case experience with Dachshund back and neck disc disease - my 2 special guys were two of the worst cases seen by the dog neuro surgeon. Steroids are a temporary measure - especially in the case of my dogs who fully paralyzed. The first Wonder Wiener was a pioneer in neck/back surgery - both performed at same time - but prior to that was hospitalized 3 times for 2 week periods as paralysis set in and given steroids. As feeling returned he was moved to increasingly smaller cages to restrict his movement. When his neck calcified surgery was only resort and then his back went as on call neuro was on in his way to operate so full body surgery - only did the procedure because of my guy's incredible will to live. My guy was 3 at the time - he lived to be 11 and walked again - Stage I disc disease. Jump forward from 1988 to 2004 - this time my 6 year old guy presented with absolutely none of the symptoms that I knew to look for - but when my husband walked down 4 steps carrying steak my pup didn't follow. Although we tried to curtail stair climbing etc. he did occasionally get away with it. I instantly examined him but there was no indication of pain. Called vet - I had just enough time to get there before they closed - vet examined him and also did not see any of the typical signs, but then Dachshunds are stoical. She was very concerned as we both had lived through this with our first Dachshund. She decided to take X-Rays. As she was doing so, he started to paralyze. She called the Toronto Emergency Neuro, but they require a 24 hour work-up and based on his symptoms and quick paralysis, Toronto neuro said we had better get him to Geulph Vet Hospital fast for consultation and no doubt immediate surgery with Neuro. It was a 3 hour drive with a paralyzing Dachshund - in the dark. Horrible. Neuro was wonderful - had done same surgery on his 2 dogs. Turned out that this little guy had Stage II disc disease which in a way is like ALS - nuclear fluid leaks on to the spinal cord causing spinal cord death to the extent that neither steroids or surgery will repair that damage. He was in surgery several hours and when he came home had to use a sling. After 8 weeks he had regained 70% use of his hind legs - which was disappointing to neuro but not unexpected due to Stage II disease. The neuro warned me that my guy would have a relapse and that a second surgery would not be successful so to enjoy the time that we had left. It was exactly 10 months to the day of his surgery when he started to paralyze - this time with extreme pressure on spinal cord nerves so I had to get him to our vet fast so as to be able to carry him without extreme pain. It was very hard trying to be upbeat and not scare him - although he was scared enough. Any Dachshund who has been through this recognizes the symptoms and what is going to happen. Although this time my guy thought he was going to be "fixed". Sure we could have operated and even if he survived he would have been totally paralyzed for life - and at 7 years and 2 weeks of age, not a chance I would do this to my little/big guy whose main joy in life was protecting his Mommy. No crying, nothing - just trying to be brave for him. I just can't understand why your DD's vet has not referred her Dachshund to a neuro - and very fast. Not every Dachshund has disc disease to the extent my guys did - actually we have had as many as 4 Dachshunds at one time, but only 2 to suffer were my soul mates - and the true Alphas. Some Dachshunds suffer calcification in only a couple of discs and surgery for that to me would seem minor. Some Dachshunds have many calcified discs yet never suffer from an event. But once they do, you can pretty much count on it happening again - and getting worse each time. We now have an American Eskimo - I just couldn't put myself or another Dachshund through the pain and anguish again - waiting for that little turn of the back and cry of pain. I know that German breeders are trying to breed Dachshunds with shorter backs - both my guys were gorgeous and long - and while it was hard to keep their weight at 10 lbs. (little gourmets) I somehow managed it. I really hope that your DD's pup gets help very soon. I really miss having a Dachshund - my Eskie actually gets worried when we meet up with Dachshunds - he senses the bond.

Yes - I take it. I am Cdn. - I take one 100 mg Prometrium pill a day, plus one pump of Estrogel (the instructions on the pamphlet read 2 pumps but my doctor said just one). I have been on it for nearly 3 years - I didn't hit meno until age 57. There were no health considerations that would have affected my decision to take HRT - and in fact I take it because I was born with extremely dry skin so at 60 it sure hasn't gotten any better and the HRT really helps with this. I am just happy that I am able to take it - I am allergic to so many meds that HRT is all I take. I have very high body acid and do not sweat - the words "hot flash" do not apply - and I do not sweat - not even with the heat we had this summer. I can tell you though that the ability to take an anti-histamine, decongestant, sleeping aid - anything - would be preferable to me. I am one of those that wakes up in the operating room - and also locals wear off in 5 minutes. Procedures themselves do not scare me - it is the waking up part that does - or no freezing. So I will continue with my HRT until I am told otherwise.