Great to hear your Hoyas are doing good Amber! I have one idea that has helped my Hoyas bloom and not drop as much. I try to give them a little extra water when blooming. Since I've started doing that they bloom a lot better! Hope this helps and good to hear things are going well!

Well it looks like this it the finally list: TODAY'S UPDATE and FINAL LIST OF MEMBERS: 01. ncgardengirl-Fran***** 02. medontdo-Michele 03. markcase1964-Mark***** 04. lgslgs-Lynda 05. misskimmie-Kim 06. conniesc-Connie***** 07. heatherbon-Heather 08. dirtdiggin-Toni***** 09. gardeningbingo 10. grolikecrazy-Chris***** 11. douglasls-Lisa 12. beverlysc-Bev 13. aphroditelaughs-Ellie 14. sissifriss-Myriah***** 15. chellflower-Chell***** 16. mary_grether-Mary 17. poisondartfrog-Alana***** 18. grovespirit-Iris 19. lindaruzicka-Linda***** 20. angelady-Angela***** 21. dimples31312-Dorothy 22. strmywthr3-Barbi 23. smokymist-Cheryl***** 24. jas_il-Jasmine 25. kristlindgren-Kris 26. ishareflowers-Lisa***** 27. purpleacres-Tracy***** 28. countrygirl_sc-Gail 29. fleethart-Fleety 30. hmacdona-Heather***** 31. echinaceamaniac-Clint 32. lakedallasmary-Mary 33. diana_lynn-Diana Lynn 34. smitties 35. ashle999 36. yotetrapper***** 37. mcbdz-Pattie 38. graanieb-Bea 39. sassybutterfly_2008-Wendy***** 40. threeshyacres-Jodi***** 41. blue_ivy-Tola 42. ibartoo-Linda 43. jaleeisa-Kathy***** 44. molanic-Molanic 45. rane_grow-Iris 46.gardenmom2-Nichol 47. southerncharm1-Kathy SC1 48. kilngod-Tina***** 49. luvgardening2-Nancy***** 50. rbrady-Rhonda***** 51. dessieb-Dessie I will be emailing out my address shortly IF you do not have an email from me PLEASE make sure you email me for my address. Thanks so much I am sure we all are going to enjoy this swap. :) Fran

It doesn't matter laser vs scalpel or cautery, it all depends on the surgeon's ability to get the entire growth out. Depending on what the growth is, that can be easy or not so much. Some types of growths send out microscopic finger-like projections that you just can't see grossly, and then they recur. However getting a biopsy will tell you what the growth is and whether or not the surgical margins are clear. On a paw pad, I would tend towards cautery because of better hemostasis than scalpel or laser. But that's surgeon's preference and availability of equipment. I think the advice of searching for a vet who has had experience removing this type of growth is very good. I've removed one paw pad growth a couple of months ago and the margins were clear so we don't expect it to recur. It was a corn (has a fancy histopathological name I can't remember). I probably just got lucky:) Used cautery, since that's what we have available. Obviously trimming it down isn't providing a long-term solution, and since it is causing your dog discomfort I would tend towards surgery for removal. I would highly recommend biopsy to determine exactly what it is and to evaluate surgical margins. I have been surprised several times, both pleasantly and not, about growths and now very rarely will remove one without histopathology. Especially since your vet has never seen this before.

sending my best thoughts for calm & security & love for that baby girl, for wisdom & patience & a little good luck for grandparents & for safe & calm & joyous homecoming for Apeil.