I use Mane & Tail shampoo & conditioner on my dogs. It's got a pleasent smell, but not too perfume-y. It also leaves them feeling sooooo soft! I'm another who only bathes my dogs maybe 4 or 5 times a year. I have a long haired St. Bernard & a beagle/cocker spanial mix. Neither of them get stinky unless they roll in something, which doesn't happen often since they have a fenced-in backyard to play in while outside. I used to bathe my SB frequently b/c of his long hair, but found that it irritated his skin. Now, I brush when needed & of course towel dry when he's been in the rain. I clean my dog's ears frequently b/c they can get stinky if left alone, but bathing is limited to summer time (May or June to Sept. or Oct.) and only a few times at that. I also shave my SB during the summer b/c of his intolerance to heat, so this helps renew his coat & keeps him smelling good! :)

Dogs and cats can and do get along. It takes time for them to work out the dominance. I have one cat and 3 dogs. Brought the kitten into the household when I had 2 dogs, and they weren't used to cats. It took a while but now they get along great. Then I got a 3rd dog, one I rescued, and she wasn't used to cats. It took a while but now they get along great. And years ago I had 2 Siamese cats, and got a German Shepherd puppy. It didn't take long for them to let the pup know who was boss. They growled and hissed at the pup for a long time. Then one day I came home from shopping, and they were chasing each other up and down the hall! When they saw me, they stopped playing, and the cats started growling and hissing at the pup, who became very submissive. I chided them for trying to hide it from me. I think a larger breed would be better than a smaller one. Most larger breed dogs are easier to train, and easier to housebreak. It's the housebreaking that would keep me from getting most small breeds. And, with a yorkie, there's a lot of grooming. Lots of brushing that long, silky hair, and trips to the groomer unless you're going to learn to do it yourself. Think about a 12-15 year commitment to heavy grooming.

My terrier, now 1 year old, was a horrendous biter pretty much up until a couple of months ago. She was experimenting with what her teeth could do and how far she could go! She would attack my toes when I was walking around the house, too. Just keep grabbing her snout and yelling in a deep voice, "NO!" She'll catch on, in a few years.... LOL! (Or else she'll quickly learn her manners from the other 2. One day she'll go too far and another one will put her in her place.) I know it's hard to discipline such cuties. But we really need to sometimes. (Mine also has decided that "her" side of the sofa isn't enough. As soon as I get up to do something for a minute, she moves right off her blanket-covered side and onto mine. She does warm the seat up very nicely, tho!)

What I will do in that circumstance is even out the shape if needed. Sometimes necessary to cut back odd woody stems appearing above new growth in a few weeks. Whether or not you get more blooms will depend on your climate, weather... Those darned fawns, cute as they are, will taste just about anything still learning their likes and dislikes. Get one of the deer repellents and spray your hydrangeas - when they have put out a flush of new growth be sure to spray again. Bobbex is usually effective for me here.