You're a bit colder up there in zones 5/6, while I'm here in 7a/b along the Jersey shore, and I'll have to look into this and will be interested in other posts, but will dive on in ... First of all, I'm wondering why your daylilies are in pots rather than in the ground. I'm far from an expert on them, but have several varieties and have found them to be quite tough and adaptable. I do think it likely that it wasn't extreme cold but alternate freezing/thawing, which is more likely to occur in a pot than in the ground, that was responsible for your daylily losses. If you must keep them in pots (perhaps you use them in planters in the summer?), then perhaps you could sink those pots into the ground in winter (just be sure they have adequete - but not too much - water). Since the roots are frequently sold in a rather dry, dormant state, I would imagine another means of overwintering would be to treat them like the tubers/rhizomes/corms of tender plants like dahlia or gladiolus: allow to go dormant and store in a cool but above-freezing location like a cold cellar or attached garage. Interesting idea to convert the kennel, but I'm afraid you'd find that would heat up considerably on sunny days, then cool down rapidly at night ... making for another freeze/thaw problem. Diane

I finally took a picture from the packaging as I don't want to go ahead and assemble it yet. The mesh is a little larger holes than i expected it would be but I think it will work and if not I can buy some finer netting and glue over it.

My dog was about a year old and trained very well when I got her. I noticed though that she was beginning to do things, I think, out of separation axiety. Since she was house broken I tried to work without the crate. Then I noticed that she was purposely doing things - jumping on kitchen counter and trash can episodes, when I would leave the house. I actually caught her doing it right after she thought I had left ( I closed door but didn't leave). She was at it, right away. I ended up getting the crate, but still resisted using it until it was just obvious I couldn't leave her out all day anymore. At first she refused to even smell it, much less enter it. I started using treats - I put her in there and used "Stay", and would give her treats. Now, piece of cake. She watches my actions in the morning - getting ready for work on weekdays. When I put shoes on and head out of my room, she RUNS to the crate because she knows I'm leaving. I've even reduced the treats to almost none, and she still does it. I can always tell when she's done something "bad" - she RUNS to the crate and crawls under her blankie. I've heard most dogs love the crate, once they get used to it. It's a safe harbor, I guess. I will say though that my Bijon HATED his crate. He never got used to it, and ruined it with "going" in it all the time. I didn't know at the time how to work with Bijon's - they are difficult. Now though I think it would work. I don't have him any longer because my job took me out of town and I couldn't take him. But I miss him terribly. Best wishes, and don't worry. Your puppy will still love you like crazy - especially when you get home and open that crate door.

It sounds as though she's not urinating outside before you go to bed at night, right? How much do you walk with her when you take her out and how long are you outside with her at night? Is she peeing only at night or during the day also? I think she needs more consistent training along with lots of praise when she goes outside. Also try to train her to a command as she pees. My dog as learned that 'go tinkle' means just that. He drops his toy and runs over to his favorite place and does his job.........then comes running back with the happiest look on his face! If you don't like crate training, take her out on a regular basis, every 3-4 hrs or even more often, and watch closely for signs when she needs to go out.