We have a critter door in our garage so the cats can get in from the weather in the winter. We are pretty rural and I would NOT put a critter door in our house. I currently do not have an animal that I want coming and going freely (very elderly dog who wanders, lots of ouside cats) so it isn't an issue. We have coons, possum, coyotes, and any number of wild animals running around here at night. I wouldn't think you have to worry about coyotes coming in but depending on your climate, coons and possum can get desperate for food and become quite bold when the weather turns cold and resources are scarce. I agree with Marlingardener, walk her or let her out before bed. I personally don't think it is safe for a small dog outside in a rural place overnight or unattended for an extended time. Lori

Now I'm angry! I went to meet Elmer at lunch ... he was in the lobby with a volunteer who was about to take him for a walk. We went into a meeting room instead and got to spend some time with him. He was a wonderful dog ... sweet, calm, loving, just wanted to be petted. So I went out to speak to the person at the window and told him I had put in an application for Elmer yesterday, and had come to meet him today. Another woman farther down asked my name, and when I told her she said she had just left me 2 messages and they had approved my application, and wanted me to adopt Elmer. I was thrilled. We talked about when they were open and how Saturday was a zoo, so i told her I would take the rest of the afternoon off of work and go home and get Lily and bring her back. That it would take me a couple of hours, but I would be back. She said great, he would be there for me. So I go back to work, tell them I'm taking the afternoon off, drive 40 minutes home ... get changed, take Lily out, get back in the truck with Lily and head back into the city. Arrive at the Buffalo City Animal Shelter 1.5 hours after I had first left. I walk to the counter and the same guy that was there and listening to our conversation earlier was at the counter. I said I'm back to do a meet and greet with Elmer, I brought my Lily to meet him. He says, he's gone. I said, excuse me? I told her, the woman at the other window I would be back and she said he was mine. That woman said, Oh good, you're back for Elmer ... they guy told her, he's gone ... she said, no, he can't be gone ... they all then disappear into the "Directors" office. Turns out, the Director wanted me to adopt him but didn't know I had shown up or responded to their phone call. So she went and adopted him out, within that 1.5 hours, to someone else. The other woman was flabergasted and I was pissed. Still am ... amazing amount of non-communication. And the guy at the counter was there during all the discussions, but obviously didn't say anything. The Director wouldn't even come out of the office and apologize ... I got a lame "sorry" from the guy. Can you tell I am still so angry? He was such a great dog, exactly the big furry, calm, mushy dog I'd been looking for. I'm giving up for a while ... too many other things going on in my life to keep dealing with these emotional ups and downs at the moment.

I think being in the shelter for so long (& his age) he just had to 'go' where he was confined. He has been caged, taken outdoors to do his business & then comes in & does it in his cage... or on the floor if out of his cage! Unfortunately, they live on 5 acres unfenced in the country where there are rattlesnakes, & rabbits that he would chase & get lost so he is on a leash when outdoors most of the time. He is praised when he potties outdoors but it doesn't seem to register yet.. but they have had him only about 4 months x the shelter so hopefully he will improve with time & patience. When he is visitung our 4 dogs he sees where they go but he will just do it anywhere-cement patio usually- when he feels the urge! Such a sweet lovable old guy though otherwise! We have never had chihuahas & some tell us they are very stubborn but our 3 Min-Pins learn things quickly (too quickly at times!!)& also our German Shepherds ... we have had 7 of them over the years. Thanks for your suggestions!

Hi CB! Sure.. this is the latest version I do, it's so very flexible. 28 oz whole tomatoes 4 oz pickled jalapenos 2 cloves garlic handful of cilantro juice of 1 lime 1 tsp oregano salt to taste Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse to the texture you desire. I puree the stuff very thin as that seems to be what I find served around here. Again, the recipe is very elastic so if it' a little too spicy cut back on the jalapenos and vice versa. I will throw in a bell pepper or a few banana peppers if I get the urge etc.... Make it what you like. :)