I had a greenhouse many years ago. It had a redwood frame and corrugated fiberglass panels. The panels were not transparent, but the plants got enough light to do well. The problem was the heating costs. The thin, single panels didn't hold the heat at all. And it was blown apart in one of our famous 'noreaster' storms one winter. I had a temperature warning alarm in the house if it fell below 40 degrees F, but I was away that night. When I got home, one whole panel was ripped off and others were barely attached. I lost everything! My biggest loss were more than 30 species orchids that had been collected from felled rain forest trees in Mexico and India! I would recommend a temperature alarm that you can hear in the house, and placing the greenhouse close to the house so you don't have to shovel a long path. (Mine was too far away.......had to shovel over 100 feet!). Try to site it where it might have some protection from strong winds, and also not near or in the "wind path" of any trees that drop sap, debris or such. Also, think about having a water source close by, or even installing an underground supply from the house. I carried too many buckets of water, and in winter, a real hassle! You will also probably need electricity brought out. I'm sure he's happy to be getting a greenhouse. I went to the Farm Tek site and read the specs, and it seems like a good product. It has twin polycarbonate walls, which will help reduce heating costs. The frame is powder coated aluminum so it should look good for a long time. Overall it seems nice. I hope he enjoys it and wish you all the best!

Oh my gosh, I'm soooo sore. I was working on pure adrenaline, and I ran over to him, then I was apparently kneeling down next to him...under 'normal' circumstances, due to my really bad knee, running and kneeling are not part of my daily routine. I think I am pretty good under pressure, and I guess I'm just a 'take action' kind of gal. Maybe that is the reason I live this interesting life? All I know is that I kept thinking of the time I was badly hurt in a car accident and how scared I was. I was worried about my husband and kids, and I didn't know what was wrong with me, how badly I was hurt, would I live, etc...and I just knew I couldn't live with myself if I stood around while that poor man laid in the street. I took a first aid course over 15 years ago, but I don't remember the protocols. I guess this is one of my talents I didn't list before...I'm a cool cucumber and a take charge person under extreme circumstances, but then I break down when it's all over. I just don't know how my brother did it for all the years he was an EMT. I'm going to check in with the hospital, I don't know his last name, and I'm sure I won't be told who he is, but at least I can leave a message to tell him I hope he's going to be ok. And I hope that my actions will inspire others who were standing around to 'pay it forward' so to speak.

I've read through many of the messages posted here and am so glad I found this site. On August 1 (yes, just a few weeks ago), me and my girlfriend had to put our beloved Siberian Husky, Cinnamon, to sleep. She was 15 and a half years old. We had found her in a pet shop when she was eight weeks old and it was love at first sight. We both cried like babies when we had to say goodbye to her. We knew she was old (especially for a dog her size) and I thought I was prepared because she had been showing many signs of advanced age in her final months. Then about a week before we had to put her to sleep, we discovered she had cancer. I knew the time was coming so I tried to be ready for the inevitable. But I found that this was not the case. I still think of her almost constantly and the tears have not stopped. I have gone through the deaths of my parents and others I have known and loved but dealing with the death of my dog has been much harder. I really didn't know why until I started looking for answers on the internet. True dog lovers, as many people have stated, love their dogs as part of the family. Cinnamon was definitely part of the family. She became our second child. One incident that cemented that fact occurred when she was two years old. We had gone to a friend's reception (he had his wedding overseas but came back to the States to have his reception so family and friend could attend). We stayed at his parents house and they had told us that it was okay to bring Cinnamon. They all loved Cinnamon and showered tons of attention on her. For anyone that has had a Siberian Husky, they know that huskies cannot be watch dogs as they love everyone, including strangers. Because of this, I tended to believe that she didn't care who she was with as long as they gave her attention. She proved me wrong. After the reception, we were preparing to drive home and we were packing the car for the trip home. My son, my girlfriend and I were all outside while Cinnamon was waiting inside. She started howling because she thought we were going to leave her behind and wouldn't stop howling until we brought her outside with us. We knew then that we were her family and she wanted to be with us. Through the years, she has always been here. Now that she is gone, I just feel a huge hole in my life. All the routines we had with her are gone. Daily walks, which she loved and pretty much demanded are no more. Watching her sleep always comforted us. Now, that is gone. Stroking her beautiful coat and hugging her, gone. Seeing her 'husky' smile which in turn made us smile, gone. Just a few of the things that made her who she was. I felt so guilty at first because I could hear what some people would say, "She's just a dog. How can you miss her more than your parents?" And being a man, I have to go hide somewhere and cry when thoughts of Cinnamon overwhelm me. But after reading through many of these posts, I realize that I am definitely not alone in my feelings. I know it's going to take a long time before the tears stop flowing and the hurt diminishes. I know that right now, it is way too soon to have another pet in my life and not really sure I want to go through the agony of a pet's death again. I know life goes on and I am trying to find things to fill the emptiness of not having my dog around. She can't ever be replaced but we made a small shrine where her urn, a plaster paw print, some of her soft fur, and pictures of her are kept. Just like bobbyprior posted above, I know that huge hole that exists now with the passing of Cinnamon. Everyone, that came here to find words of comfort, I empathize with you. Posting here really helps with the grief. I pray for all of you and know that even though your beautiful pet is gone, they will always be in your heart and mind. Dwell on the happy memories and try to remember that if your pet was still here and they could talk, they would tell you that you still need to live your life and try to be happy and good toward others. Thanks to all of you that have read my ramblings and I wish you comfort in your loss.

Dea, it's good to see you here, but I'm sorry you are having trouble. You will certainly be in my prayers for a good report and a speedy and complete recovery from the surgery. You were lucky to have a competent and caring doctor, as many doctors take a "wait and see" approach. I hope everyone will pay attention to your message about bloody discharge. I had a bloody discharge in one breast when I was 23 years old--it was from an intraductal papilloma (benign), which was surgically removed. When I was 26 years old, I had bloody discharge from both breasts (enough that I had to wear pads in my bras). My beloved doctor sent me to the National Institutes of Health, where I had a complete ductal excision of both breasts in 1975. I was fortunate--there was no malignancy; however, the doctors at NIH said that there was a good chance that it would have eventually become malignant. Brings to mind that old adage, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Needless to say, I get them checked regularly, and don't let things go.