I had one of these years ago... it was my favorite cactus... the spines never came out in my hand! But from what I have found, while searching for Selenicereus testudo, are images of what I think is the Mature form of this plant. I think the one most people have in pots is an immature or juvenile form. Maybe potsize has something to do with preventing it from maturing? So, if it's just a juvenile form, there won't be any flowers produced. So, has someone started marketing this plant again, I haven't seen it on the market for quite some time. ks-girl, where did you buy it? Feel like trading a few pieces? I can send you a few pieces of Cleistocactus winteri, which looks similar to but thicker than Aporacactus flagelliformis.

Melanie, follow your instincts. If this dog is too much for you, then talk to a rescue organization by all means. You have not failed this dog, this dog may have some big, BIG problems that you are not prepared to deal with. JRTs are a great breed, but there is a huge span of personality and temperement in the breed. I know first-hand, because I have had them for many years, but I had to give one up to Russell Rescue due to escalating, terrifyingly violent aggression against my other dogs (including her own mother.) It really came down to the commitment I had made to the oldest dog 12 years ago when I adopted her - I just could not allow the attacks to continue, because one of them was inevitably going to be fatal. We went the whole route when the problems began, from weekly visits from a dog trainer recommended by our vet for aggression problems (with much homework in between visits), to medication (which did not help), to dividing the house with baby gates - with the constant risk that one moment of inattention would launch another savage attack. At one point, the troublemaker was in her crate, and got herself so worked up into a rage that she got the OTHER TWO to start fighting on their own, just by watching her. It really was h*ll on earth for many months. It all came to a head one day when my boss took me into his office, shut the door, and said, "I'm really disappointed in your performance lately." I started crying, and it all came out - living in a war zone - the tension, the stress, the disturbed sleep, the fatigue, the arguments, the guilt, the fear, the disappointment, the injuries to the old dog (a trip to the emergency vet with a torn jugular once, a ripped eyelid another time.) My boss was really understanding, but it all suddenly became crystal-clear to me what this situation was doing to all of us, and I understood that it was time to move on. After much soul-searching, tears, and long talks with my wonderful vet, we were THIS close to putting her down (we had literally dug her grave anticipating taking her in to the vet the next morning), when Rescue called back on a Sunday night with a temporary placement, fully understanding all of the dog's problems. The Rescue people were absolutely terrific. The last I saw of my beloved pup (the dog whose birth I'd witnessed, the dog I thought I'd grow old with) was seeing her sitting on the Rescue person's lap exchanging kisses after a parking lot hand-off. Within a few weeks, they placed her with a family out of state who had experience with the breed, had lost their own aged JRT, had a fully JRT-proof backyard, and fully understood the behavioral problems. Last I heard it was working out great. Like Migo, mine was a fabulous buddy and just adored people, but could not tolerate another dog. Serious aggression between dogs is terrifying and unmistakable - it is NOT playing - not even aggressive playing. Your comment about your other dog screaming gave me chills - I remember that sound so well. Do what you have to do to protect all of the other animals to whom you have made a commitment, and do the best you can by Migo. You're not a failure - everything you've written shows that you are a sensitive and responsible dog-lover, and you need to be strong and do the right thing for everyone concerned. Best of luck, Susan

How cute! Welcome to the site. I rescued a boston one time and named him Mr.Beans he didn't like children and he eventually went to live with a young man that was mildly retarded. The dog did wonders for him and he took such wonderful care of him. A friend of mine in the neighborhood would check in on him and keep me updated, it ended up being a good scenario. We thought about the pet pictures at the petstore, but we have a rottie and two shih tzus- santa might have a come apart. I'll post pics tomorrow after we make them at home.

Welcome to the KT, and congratulations on your new house! I love your 'navigator', Jack! Lucky him. Lucky you. (Our last Westie rode with his front paws on the middle console, watching out the windshield the whole time we were in the car.) I hope your partner packed for different kinds of weather. We're at 70F north of Chicago along Lake Michigan today, but going to hit 90F tomorrow...then, finally, a cool down.