I am old enough to remember that the "common theory" about 35 years ago, was to have the dog spayed at around 8-9 months, preferably before first heat. This for health reasons already stated. This theory has changed (for reasons good and bad, mostly bad as far as I'm concerned) to having the dog spayed at around 3-4 months. Vets have different opinions on all types of animal health issues. I have learned the hard way, to research everything and ask questions about medication. I specifically ask for a time limit on when I will start to see positive results. I make sort of a check list, and then compare that to what vet recommends. If research goes against what the vet wants to do, I ask her why she wants to do it. I think the subject in general is very complicated. After tons of research, I was really disturbed and worried about reconstructive surgery my vet recommended for one of my dogs that has a history of UTI and an inverted vulva. After I made this statement to her, I told her that I would never put my dog through the process. Mainly because there was no guarantee that the surgery would fix the problem. Further research and consulting with two other vets, put me on a path to where she has been fine for the past 7 months. BTW make sure one of the cleaningÂs you do is just before bed time. This is when the bacteria is most active, when the dog is asleep for the night. Good luck! SG

I believe there is difference between "watering from the top" and "watering on top of" - at least that's the way I understand it, and pls. correct me if wrong. ew To answer your last question: Pls. remember that Crenda is in different climate - I can only speak of my plants in my climate and conditions. I water differently indoors then outdoors - indoors is more controlled (temps, lights). My succulents spent last 2 winters in colder temps day & night - just below 50*F, I watered them less often. I water almost always in the morning outdoors (just the way I am used to) and indoors usually too (except last 2 winters when I was 'visiting' my plants I never arrived before noon so they were watered then). pennyhal As mentioned above, my zone/climate is different from yours. Definitely agree that succulents could die from dryness - I have done that! I see huge difference between plants in pots and plants in ground. They will dry out much faster in pots. I have mentioned in many threads here that my succulents get 'watered' most of the time when it rains, but if there is no rain for a while I will check them and water accordingly. I also suspend plastic sheet over them if heavy rain, or if rain lasts whole day or longer. If there is just a 'drizzle' I don't cover them even it lasts whole day. Outdoors: I use bottles with small watering rosette to water them individually most often and can control where the water goes (I water on top of soil, not in the saucer - my pots are not sitting in saucers outdoors at all and I am sure that helps too), I use hose too and just spray everything. Water gets to sit in crown of some plants but it never lasts too long. If it did, I would just 'shake' it off (or always for some very finicky plants). Indoors: I would not let water sit in crown of plants indoors. There is much less air circulation and it may sit there for too long. I agree that it could cause or increase chance of rot and I always advice not to do it. I always water on top of soil, around the stem, not on top of plant (naturally, some could drizzle sometimes over the leaves). And if any water remains in saucer/tray for longer than 30min or so, I make sure I get rid of it. I use very gritty mix and that helps a lot with drainage. I never measure amount of water - using gritty mix, I can see when there is enough. If one uses soil, peat or similar, they need to adjust frequency and amount of watering. Rina

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