Honestly, I'm sorry I ever mentioned the dog now. But, let's put the shoe on the other foot for a second, shall we? How about it, "rescuer", are you one of these "rescue operations" that takes on more than it can handle? Do you extend the suffering of animals that are going to die anyway with heroic efforts to "save" them? Or do you have the compassion to let an animal die, when their time has come? More importantly, how do you like being questioned about it? Why shouldn't I give *you* the benefit of any doubt until and unless I have some reason to doubt your competence? I saw "rescuer" post about being involved in dog rescues before I ever mentioned my dog. Having seen with my own baby blues over-populated, under-funded, under-staffed so-called "dog rescues" where the animals live in squalor because the supposedly good hearted people think they have to take on every lost cause that comes their way, should I have issued warnings and admonitions to this person to make sure he or she is running a humane operation? Or, would I have been further taken to the woodshed for assuming this person to be incapable to care for animals? Silly me, I chose to give this person the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I was wrong to do that. No, I'm not offended or angry - I take exception to the instant assumption that I need to be told how to treat my animals, *just the same* as this person would be, were the shoe on the other foot. So, "think of the poor doggies" all you want - just try giving humans the benefit of any doubt. Have a blast, kids. I'm done with this subject. If anyone cares for a great farm dog, look me up - he's still free to a good home. (moderators - feel free to delete this thread)

Hey people! It's nice to see more of us posting again. Sorry I haven't been around as much but for some reason I've been feeling the need to spend some time in the evenings with my DH. I can't imagine that, can you? lol I hope Katrina was kind to all of you who live in her path. I've experienced the wrath of Carla in my time and it was very mild compared to most I'm thinking. God bless you all who have lost or been harmed in any way. Beth, I got your email and will answer it as soon as I have time. I have to make a cake tonight to take to work tomorrow so I'm trying to hurry now. Be on the lookout for the mail carrier. ;-) YaYa, I am still planning to send you another card. I guess I'm just being lazy these days. I'm going to MS this weekend to my grandmother's birthday party. We're celebrating her 99th. Tonight I am going to try and get everything ready. The pictures are all beautiful as usual. I love your babies Stephanie. Teresa, I hope you and baby Gabbie are doing well now. Shirley, your orchid is gorgeous! Ruth, have fun with your crew/family on your trek through the vast waters. I wish you beginners luck with the Regatta! I live on a huge lake and just saw a fantastic Regatta a couple of weeks ago when out on the lake swimming. I've only been in a tiny sail boat once and it capsized and we lost the sail and pole! lol Nobody I was with knew what they were doing and the boat was borrowed so we replaced what we lost. It was fun until that happened and that was really funny in retrospect. I hope someday to get aboard a large one and see how it really is to sail the deep waters. Pooch, I'm happy to hear that DD doesn't plan to spend every moment studying and can spare some for the beach! Now that is my kind of fun or at least in my younger days. Ahhh, to be young and slim again. lol I took a trip to Little Rock to the Rheumatologist today and had a pretty good checkup so all in all I am in good shape for the shape I'm in. Wishing you all the best there is, Nancy

OOps. Wrong forum. But enjoy the clip anyway. Sandy

Jamie, it sounds like your old girl is doing really well. I don't think it is unusual for a well cared for small dog to live to 17-18 these days, some even a bit longer. I have read that the longest-living dogs are neutered females. Phoenix, our old girl, is a larger mixed breed. We're guessing she is around 16 -- she was fully grown and had welped at least one litter of pups when we found her, abandoned and starving in the woods, 14 years ago last fall. She is feeble and arthritic (takes Remadyl and glucosamine for her joints) and I know we don't have much time left. But for the time being, she still has a wagging tail, enjoys treats, and roughhouses with the pup, so her quality of life is good and she is happy. We have a doggie door opening to a back porch and last summer DH buit her a ramp to make it easier -- she loves it! Her teeth are great and she eats dry food most of the time too. She also has had catarats for several years now, but can still see fairly well and the Vet said that the cateracts are not bad enough to consider removing.