tracydr most of the melons I planted are short vine melons like Yellow Doll, Minnesota Midget, Emerald Gem and so forth. When the vines are only 3-5ft long you don't need as much space. My bush beans were planted 8 days ago. I soaked some pole beans last night and will be planting today. And yes I have seen the crazy weather coming. If the beans fail I do have plenty more to replant in two weeks. mister_gin They are not all from eBay but the melon seeds are all from small melons and the seeds are smaller than standard melon seeds. My guess is being much smaller they did not have enough energy to get to the surface planted as deep as I did. I paid $ 7.00 for the Yellow Doll seeds. Ouch!!! The cucumber seeds were Armenian cucumber seeds from an eBay vendor. I have Early Prolific Straightneck seeds but did not plant any. Most of my seeds were from major suppliers Like Johnny's, Baker Creek, Seed Savers, Southern Exposure, The Sample Seed Shop, Territorial Seed and so forth. I know the window to plant is closing. I can't imagine planting seeds when its hot enough to cook an egg on the ground. Time to get to it. My guess is the problem I'm having with germination has mostly to do with the one unseasonably cold day and night about four days after planting. The cooler weather thats coming is still about 13 degrees warmer than what my failed seeds experienced. There is a saying I did not pay attention to that I will next year. "I would rather plant two weeks after my neighbor than have to re-plant with him."

Busy, busy days so I couldn't get here for an update - better late than never, right? What a difference 24 hours can make. For starters, Ross seems to have gotten a much better night's sleep (no racing thoughts) and that alone will start a day with a better perspective. He texted me first thing Friday to say that he's put a lot of things together in his mind and has a better understanding of why he 'crashed' and feels more in control, at least in the context of the program he's in. Two days ago he wanted to bail but last night he felt empowered to stay, glean what he can, and let go of feeling inadequate for the program - most of the students are feeling the same way. We've spoken a few times since but between his 18 hour days and the time difference, we don't have a chance to get into long conversations. He sounds so much better, though and I can breathe a bit again. He's coming home the day after the program ends, will have a week here with us and his cousins/my nieces and their kids. It's an interesting dynamic because there's a 1/2 step generation difference - my nieces are like my little sisters and his older sisters at the same time. I've been speaking with my middle niece who has dealt with anxiety issues and she will be great council for Ross. He has really isolated himself at college by choosing the location he did and much as he loves the place, the mountains, the snowboarding, it seems he is feeling the distance as he comes to the end of his college years. And I really think the state of the world, economy and job market are weighing heavily on him. It's damn scary to think about having to launch yourself at this time - I feel so sorry for all of our kids! But coming home will let him see what a large and varied support system he has - just wish his brother could be here also. We'll be doing some research to find a good medical fit for him at school. He has a horrendous fall schedule between classes, labs and research so I know going in he's going resist carving out time for regular sessions if that's needed. With his background, he's been 'therapied' up one side and down the other but maybe he's ready to approach it from the standpoint of an adult in control of the choices as opposed to a child being directed by mom and dad. I appreciate every perspective given here and don't want anyone to think their words were misplaced. In my mind, any information is good information and it's always in my power to sift through and use what fits. Or not. I think the internet can be a great place for advice but it's only a first step, nothing more - no expectations for instant cures. Chickadee I don't know the program you're referring to but there are no guarantees with this one so doesn't seem to be the same. Again, way too long! Thank you all for your comments and support. When I know more, you'll know more.

Obedience class will do little for her. She really needs to be in a day care situation. Is it possible to leave her with someone you know? Pay a neighborhood kid? A family member, neighbor or friend she and stay with? I would contact the local humane society and ask if they can help. Also contact the police and let them know you recently adopted the dog and are diligently working on the barking issue. Seperation Anixety is a very very hard issue to deal with if you dont have the time or someone to assist you. It took me close to a year of very careful work with my bull mastiff husky mix to help him over his anxiety - I am retired and hoave the time. You really need help with this. If you can find someone to assist you when you are at work, I do have techniques you can use when you are at home in order to combat this problem but I warn you now it takes a considerable amount of time and patience.

I adopted a Shepard/Hound at four months old. She was traumatized by her experiences before I came along at this early age. Anxiety takes many forms, you should research it on Google to educate yourself. It can be a very difficult, frustrating experience, as you and your dog are a testament to. I agree with most of what was already posted. I do think it very important that you come up with a battle plan to slowly, patiently deal with this, and stick with it, assuming it is working. If the plan is not working, be prepared to alter it until positive results start to show. This theory will give you a way to deal with this, document what is going on, and build on success. At this stage of the game, you have what I would term a serious situation, one that requires a serious way of dealing with it. This means you need to take the upper hand with this. For some reason, your vet is not getting what is going on here. This also needs to be addressed. If you have told him/her the full story, then you have an incompetent vet, and need to find another one. If you have not fully explained what is going on, similar to what you posted here, you need to call the vet today, and do this. Demand that you get something to help your dog, today. If nothing comes of this, start looking for another vet. If you do not take this approach, your dog could injure himself. Medication in the form of a sedative for short term relief, and Doxipin for long term relief MAY be in order. You simply must do something to get things under control, and this seems the most immediate way to go. A "competent" (key word here), vet should be able to bring temporary immediate relief, the long term situation may take someone who knows the dogs wiring, along with medication use. You have a real mess on your hands that is completely out of control. You need to take a patience pill (even if you have tons of it) and consider how you got where you and your dog are, and take serious steps to correct it. I spent about 8 months giving my dog medication for anxiety (not separation). My experience taught me that it can have a long lasting effect on other behaviors, some that I am still dealing with over two years later. Good luck! SG