Sammy..... The only critters that get removed from my garden are rattlesnakes. I plant enough food for migrating birds to feed on while making their trip south, but not enough to make them stick around. I always have water available for them because I have read that more birds die of thirst than lack of food. I don't feed stray cats or dogs, but report them to Animal Control (Rabies is a problem up here, so I no longer rescue stray cats or dogs) ... nor do I feed the deer, at least not on purpose ... lol. When I had a stare down with a cougar one night, I decided to have the fuel reduction crew work in our neigborhood to remove the brush that created both a fire danger and provided the preferred habitat for a hunting cougar. I got all of our neighbors involved in the project. Yes, we changed the habitat, but our homes and children are safer. (There's plenty of places for the wild animals that lived in that brush to move to up here.) The deer moved back to their usual deer trail, but if there is a hunting cat, I think it will be further down, or up, the deer trail...at least I hope that's true. My whole view of wildlife has changed as I got more information, but each of us has to decide how we are going to live with the animals that are a part of our world. Smiles, Lyn

I just wanted to say a big "thank you" to everybody who responded. I have read and re-read each and every post and taken into consideration everything everybody had to say. What a bunch of GREAT people we have here! I went out again today to try and assess the damage further. I do have some survivors, and definite losses, as well as "maybe" pots. I say "maybe" because there is only a tiny bit of crown left, maybe the size of a dime, in some of the containers, and I do not see any roots left on those. So I do not know if they will come through or not, but I am giving them a chance. Some of the containers were completely empty with only a smidgen of soil left. I will come back in several weeks and post my final numbers just so anybody who's interested will know. My Grandpa's dementia is getting bad, and he does not live in his home anymore because my family does not think he can be safe living on his own. So long story short, he moved in with my Uncle and his wife, and his rural farm home, which he lived in for 70 years with Grandma, sits empty. My husband and I were born and raised in Iowa, and all of our family live there still. We make the trip twice a year to visit. So in July when we go, I will look forward to my Grandpa and I going to his old home and digging small "starts" of each of the hostas so I can begin again. It only takes a small piece.....I do have the patience for them to grow large like I did before. It will give us time together. He still remembers me, but has to be reminded daily multiple times that Grandma passed. His short term memory is the worst. I also believe that everything happens for a reason, as was mentioned by some kind soul here. And they are only plants afterall. It's just that they have very special meaning to me. I'm trying to keep the right perspective. As a side note, after inspecting my perennial flower bed, it looks like my potted hostas were not the only casualties this winter. Those little critters did a number on some of my other plants. GRRRR! This is war! :) Once again, thank you all for your kind words of support and encouragement. I will post back soon and let you all know how many of my babies made it. Oh, and by the way, I live in Shelby Township, MI. If any of you know of any plant swaps coming up, I'd love to get that info. Maybe I can find a few replacements for what I've lost over the winter. I've never been to one, but I hear they are a good way to get a lot of nice plants quickly. I do have some perennials that need to be divided, so I could trade. Good evening, Sandy

Helen, I've seen news reports that many people adopted pets from Joplin yesterday. I hope they have a successful day today too. I hope every pet finds a home. It certainly isn't these animals' fault that they lost their homes and families in the tornado. Looking at the special needs animals breaks my heart too. Please keep us posted on the final number of pets that find homes during the adoptathon. All of our pets (except the chickens) are adoptess or rescues and we have tons of animals because new ones show up all the time. I hate it when people dump animals "in the country" and I believe that's where a lot of our rescued pets have come from. They just show up here and we keep them forever. It is hard enough to imagine what a human goes through in a tornado and its aftermath. I cannot imagine what animals go through. Dawn

Okay, good information. And Kudos to you for adopting and what a regal dog !!! My first concern would be a physical problem and the vet NEEDS to check out your dogs back and back end to make certain there is nothing wrong physically. Nerve problems in the back can make it so your dog has NO IDEA of when it is time to go. You wrote: "~ We never yell or hit him when he has an accident. We just show him and tell him, "NO . . . bad dog! Kennel!" Pick up the poop and take it and him to the kennel where we put it down and say, "Kennel . . . good dog, kennel" We then meticulously clean the rug using a good quality dog accident cleaner & deodorizer. " This connect negativity with bathroom works and you should really stop doing it. THIS "Ronin has an accident perhaps once or twice a week, although never peeing. All the other times, we/I just take him out to the kennel and lock him in until he goes, when we let him right back in, praising him, "Good dog, kennel!"." Is also not a good idea. Next I would call the foster person and ask if they had the same problem. If all that turns out to be normal and this is a new behavioral problem I suggest a couple of things - First you have had the dog 3 weeks and he is going through a period of transition - so you are bound to have something come up. You wrote that he is okay with other dogs and people and he gets kennelled on a rgular basis. All okay *BUT* you have failed to write ANYTHING about his daily walking routine!!! This dog should be taken out on a leash walk at least 3 times a day. For at least 15 minutes a day. NO LESS. Im not tqlaking just a quickie around the block where the dog sniffs a couple of bushes. Im talking find a good fire road or an area where your dog can really get in a good pant. DONT let him stop and sniff the bushes or rocks or anything else JUST a good walk at a good clip. Just when you are heading back to the car - let your dog stop and sniff the bushes. Hopefully the regualr walks will help alot - they usually do. Be careful not to go to the same place for his walks. I suspect your new charge is bored, and not stimulated enough. But that is just based on what you wrote....When your dog does do its duty. It is important to first give your dog a command to poop - it should be unemotional. Just a fact - go make a meadow muffin....when the dog does, praise him highly. As if he has just brought you a bag with a thousand dollars in it. If your dog likes privacy (mine does) just make certain you bring a longer leash so he can hide behind a bush or tree for his duties. Another part of the training is to take his present and take it outside to a place where you will walk your dog daily. Be certain to stop and let him sniff his stuff, give the unemotional command and praise him....good luck - let us know how it goes.