I'd say that just about anything is possible, far fetched or not. Dave may be some jerk that was trying to take folks for a little ride (how many of you have taken you city cousins Snipe Hunting when they came to visit?) or someone that actually saw something that could endanger someone else because every time he tried to report it he got jeered. Guess we'll never know. I haven't seen Bigfoot or Elvis (since he died) but have seen panther, wolves, and bears where it was sworn that they couldn't be. North of where I live now is where a lot of the old Hansel and Grettal, Rip van Winkel, and witch stories originated. Walk through some of that area (even in daylight). Take Care, Dave

Make sure they test for Coccidia...sometimes they don't check for that and just look for worms... Yes we will indeed have his stools checked for Coccidia, thanks :o) You know usually stress isn't the cause the diarrhea, it is usually something that was already there and the stress has lowered the immune system just enough to set it loose.... Does that make sense?? yes, totally, the same thing happens with hamsters but mostly Syrians. Syrians get wet tail because something shocks their immune systems when they are moved long distances. The bacteria are there but it doesn't strike them hard until they are stressed. Are his eyes clear and sparkly (no gunk)? his eyes get gooky when he goes out in the bitter cold but otherwise they are clear and no sign of infection, scleras are white throughout Is his nose runny at all...dripping?? No,no drips at all, dry most of the time and cold and damp when he comes in from the cold but dries up again What color are his gums? Should be a nice pink, not too pale.. very nice pink and well hydrated...been checking for that Does he feel extra warm? (normal is around 101º) no, normal How many rounds of shots has he gotten? one round of shots on December 19th In consideration of his breed mix, I would make sure to time his last distemper/parvo vaccination to be given after his 16th week of age (at the same time as his rabies vac). ok...what is the rationalle for that, just curious Did he get a vaccination immediately before you took him home? no, almost a month ago How old did you say he was?? 9 weeks Do keep me posted...I certainly get anxious when I hear the words "sick puppy"...aak! well, I really don't think he's sick with a fever or anything but he could still have something in his stools, so we'll have that checked. He's playing like a kitten, pouncing on sticks and leaves and chasing after toys and generally either getting into trouble or looking for attention...typical puppy stuff. He is napping much better now. He'll nap for a full hour now whereas he was only taking 10 minute cat naps before and crying a lot. Today there was no crying at all and he is back on his food eating about 50/50 steamed rice and dry chow. One thing I thought of was that darn oil tablet the lady gave him at the rescue. I don't know how long she'd been giving it to him but those things are big and I'm sure it was like giving him cod liver oil twice a day. I've discontinued that entirely and today he is having better formed poos and not feeling the urgency to get outside. Ugh! It's a horrid day today... freezing rain so the deck where I was letting him out is thick with ice and the poor thing is terrified. I am too...afraid of falling that is so now I have to trapse him through the garage and out the back garage door onto MORE ice but at least if he falls he will fall only the ground and not off the edge of the deck. I'll pop back in with at "Pupdate" later and let you know what a second slide of his stools shows. Thanks so much, Barb & "Lake" When I foster puppies, I always have my vet tech/or vet if necessary on speed dial!! LOL!! I have the whole routine down...

You seem to know what you want to do with the fur coat. As long as you're comfortable with how you're using it, that is all it matters. As for myself, I feel creepy wearing real fur. I'm not comfortable wearing one at all. However, I am fine wearing certain type of leather such as cow or sheep leather. At an earlier post, someone posted that's all in the food chain. I disagree, we eat beef, pork, chicken, lamb, etc. but we normally don't eat beaver, chinchilla, etc.. So, if it's snake skin, leopard leather, etc.., those too I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it. That's just me though.

It does sound like the soil does not have a chance to become fully saturated again. I would never try to water a hanging plant in place because I put at least a gallon of water each time, and most of it runs out. Peat seems to be the primary culprit of hydrophobic soils, IME. And silicone moisture crystals, when present. If the idea of taking your plant to your shower/tub to water sounds like too much of a PITA, try giving it a reasonable drink, then repeating an hour later. Add water as slowly as possible. Maybe put a bucket under at first, then the towel. Think of a wet sponge that sheds water at first, then accepts much more. Then realize that if the soil hadn't really been getting moistened before but now is from an altered method and that you are able to much more fully saturate the soil, it will take longer to dry out. Monitoring how heavy a pot is is an excellent gauge of whether or not the soil has dried. But, understandably, not practical for all of them. I recommend it if possible/practical, whether watering in place or in shower/tub.