I had to respond because reading the op, brought tear to my eyes. I had a German shepherd that lived to be about 14. She was with me from when my brother died when I was 10 to when I was 22. She was already a couple/few years old, but she was with me through the hardest parts of my life. From when I lost my brother, to when I was an akward teenager, to when I hated the world. She loved me no matter what. When the time came to put her down, I cried and cried and cried. I guess when she passed, it was like my brother was passing all over again. I was living at a place I knew I wasn't going to be at forever, and barely had a place to stay. I didn't want to bury her there, and I didn't think to get her ashes. I was too upset. It took me hours to make a 30 minute drive. Anyways, sounds like Asher is well loved. She was lucky to have found a wonderful family. After my pup passed, I almost immediately got another pup. No to replace moonlight, but to give another pup a home. Oh and it sounds like if Asher is buried deep enough, the chamomile should be ok. I have an avocado planted above the previous owner of the houses dog, buddy. Should be fine.

Hi, Karl your message emphasized the point even more. Plus! it looks like not only generic garden centers can be a problem but also this! One time I called to check on a specific variety of climbing rose for Kansas that I might put on reserve for next year 2010 ( I contacted a so-called rose society hotline from my suburbs) and I did not find out until 15 minutes later into the conversation that the "volunteer" herself had never grown roses herself. And when I questioned then how can you know about what I'm asking about, she admitted wellllll, they give us a sheet and train us on how to answer a lot of the questions since we're mostly all volunteers.... ooo, my....see how I depend upon the real experts (you) etc, etc.... On the other hand Karl, happily I have learned some very key important things about canker, root strength and artist's instincts about the health of the rose and what I visually see and can predict. I was really surprised how accurate I'm starting to get just by looking at the coloration of leaves, stems, their formations etc and being able to tell which branches will blossom/bud first and other subtleties of how a rose is doing healthwise. Marianne, I looked up the Frau Karl Druschi and the Marianne, because it's the first time I've heard their names (being very new to roses) They are very dramatic roses! I hope you had the best of photos to keep of your favorites... should I ever succeed at my roses I will be taking "memory" pictures, just like I do of my Eluane (dog). Both she and the tree roses were my first tries (1st time pet owner, 1st time gardening). Now there is just one tree rose, and the others I've gotten since then are doing so beautifully and hope they will continue to. But again, I still have winter to worry about (of course nothing like Swedish winters) but with the help of so many here, I am sure they will have a fighting chance...

I'm so sorry you lost your dear friend, Misty, and were not able to be with her to the end. I know how that hurts as we lost a dear pet recently too. Misty had such a long life, and I imagine you had lots of wonderful times with her. Do you have some pictures of Misty? Maybe you could make a little photo album of her. Or maybe plant a special plant in your yard in her memory. Take care.

Thanks for the kind words everyone...I went out scouting last night...thought he'd recognize the sound of my car...he always greeted me every evening when I drove in the driveway from work.....drove around some neighborhoods very slow..stopping, staring in yards...surprised some people didn't call the cops on this suspicious car!!He's just vanished........never wanders off? I live in the country, however, when I moved here I was alone, and now there are houses popping up everywhere......arrrggg..Not giving up.....yet........I keep looking at his path that he has made just knowing he will be waddling down it. Rosie, I am going to mosaic a bunny for Foo's Foo's grave...we have a pet cemetery where all of our pets have been laid....how weird is that, huh! I think after a stressful holiday with my "human family," that all this has just iced the cake! IT IS WHAT IT IS! Again, thanks for thoughts and prayers...