In 1988 and 1989 in Western MD we had the worst summer droughts in the memory of anyone alive. A number of trees visably suffered, a few died. On my timberland there is a stand of tuliptrees (my preferred name for this tree, it being totally unrelated to poplars)of about 15 acres growing on east, south, and southwest exposures-most densely on the east and southeast exposures. None of these trees died, but all of them had a good portion of their leaves turn yellow and begin to drop in mid to late August. Most forest trees after they get established can withstand any kind of drought they are likely to experience in their native areas. Tuliptrees do not grow on habitually dry ridges or on hillsides with very light and very well drained soils. They prefer, or require, sites with richer soils and at least a moderate amount of moisture. But once established on these kinds of sites, they will survive the severest droughts. From what you told me, you should definately try one or a group. When I was a kid, they were my #1 favorite tree in my neighborhood. They are still at the top of my favorite trees list. They are generally problem free. And, in Arlington VA there is one about 7 or 8 feet in diameter (yes, really that large) growing within 5 or 6 feet of a house. House and tree doing just fine. Risk of falling limbs no greater than most other trees. But, and this is very, very important: since you are at the northern edge of this tree's natural range, you need to be careful to get a tree from a more northerly seed source. I bought two of these for my property here in northern VA from local nurseries. They, apparently, were grown much further south and were from very southern seed sources. Neither one of these survived even the relatively mild winters we have here. Well, they survived, but were killed back severely each of three years before I gave up on them and removed them. I since dug up some from the local woods and they are doing very, very well. --Spruce

LOL, Pam, that would be Sleeping Bear Dunes. Ann was just very near there, it's up on the Leelanau Peninsula, just North and West of Traverse City. It's vineyards and little fishing towns and the State Park. Sadly, erosion and nature are taking their course and in another 30 or 40 years, the "bear" will be gone. The Native American legend of the bear is that a mother bear and two cubs were fleeing a great famine in Wisconsin and were swimming across The Lake. The two cubs drowned and the Mama Bear was so sad that the Great Spirit turned both cubs into islands (North and South Manitou Island) and Mama into the giant sand dune, so that she could watch over them forever. Come to Michigan, I'll show you "the Bear". There's about a 400 foot dune to climb, and you can slide/roll/jump down into The Lake, if you are young and agile (and foolish) enough. And yes, I believe it very well may be the most beautiful place in the United States. Come soon, before all the tourists do.... Annie

I make salmon and peas in a white sauce and serve it over a home made tea biscuit. It's a quick meal. I make the white sauce in the microwave. If you don't want to make white sauce you can use cream of celery soup diluted with a bit of milk to gravy consistancy--omit the salt. 1 cup white sauce 1 can salmon, drained and flaked 1/2 cup frozen peas salt and pepper. I make the white sauce in a 4 cup measuring cup and then get the bisciuts on. Once they are in the oven. I put the peas in the sauce and microwave for 40 seconds--watch for boil over and stir down if it starts to rise up the sides of the measuring cup too far. I take it out of the microwave, Add the Salmon and salt and pepper and return to the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute to heat everything right through. Serve over halved biscuits. It's good on toast too. 2 generous servings

My mom's Lab had a mass in her abdomen that was benign. She had it literally for YEARS, like 5 or more. It wasn't until it started to press on her stomach so that Ms. Mike couldn't get a full tummy that she finally had to be put to sleep. As far and the liver enzymes go- WAIT! With her symptoms- panting, urinating a lot, and her breed and that liver enzyme count it sounds like Cushings disease, which is treatable or at least managable. Maybe you wouldn't want to do that- the treatment can be hard on dogs and it can get expensive, but even so there are alternatives. Lysodren/mitotane is the usual treatment, but you can use ketoconazole (an antifungal drug) to help control symptoms and it's not as hard on them, plus cheaper. The testing for Cushings can be expensive too. Obviously it's your choice about Annie, if you feel she is up to more testing and treatments, etc. You know her and how she responds to things, and she is getting up there in age. And expense is a real concern. How much you want to put into her is a very personal and difficult decision, and depends on a lot of things. But I have certainly seen dogs with ALKP over 10,000 that had cushings, got treated, and did wonderfully for years. The mass is of course a complicating factor, but it could be benign.