Well, rats! The blooms just opened on mine, and they are H. Johnsonii!! They were off by themselves and perhaps the neighbor didn't realize this. Will go by today and see if they have other HJ in the bed. If not, will convince(!)them that they need to take this one back and give me some of the above! :-/ Kristi

Saw the pup Thursday night. DS/DIL were at work and we went to their house to wait for them so we could go out to eat. Oski was in his playpen and so glad to see us. I took him out for a walk. He really doesn't like to walk away from the house, stops and looks, has to be tugged along. When we turn around he tries to run back. Still is very mouthy and the house training is slow. He is one strong-willed, energetic pup, worn out at night. Yes, he eats things in the yard as well but I don't think he has thrown up yet. I guess you really have to watch things in the yard since Elliot likes to eat things. Toadstools, etc. Sorry for the throw-up mess and hope he recovered quickly. The vet told us that dogs don't learn from eating bad stuff in the yard; they'll do it again Oski had his operation. First trip to the groomer today (they'll probably put a surcharge because he won't hold still). He's growing; I notice it when I pick him up, bigger around the tummy. He's a lot of fun and thanks for asking. I guess I can hijack this thread since I started it! At the park. He approached another big dog who snarled him away. He took off but continued running around unfazed. He's such a happy little dog. This is probably 10 times more information than you want, but it's all I have for a grandchild! LOL!

Brenda, You have touched me in so many ways with your story. It was just perfect when you said "I will know it when I see it" ...and there it was. it is beautiful, and I hope you can close your eyes and put your hand over the ring and rock in a chair and remember the best times that you and Ronnie had. Have your kids seen it yet? I really would love to hear what their reaction to it is, or maybe you would rather keep it to yourself and Ronnie, hmmmmm? What a wonderful story, you are one of a kind my friend. Trin

Makes me think of a cat I had in Dallas. Beau. I think he was a NOC to my condo neighbors! Sometimes it would start to rain or snow, I’d be calling him and calling him. He’d show up later after the precipitation ended, warm and dry. One day I had let him out, and I went outside too, and went to visit a neighbor on the first floor. As we are chatting in the living room, Beau shows up at their patio door! The wife had told me that her husband hated cats and she loved them, but he won out so a no-cat household. But every few days, Beau would show up at their patio door, and they’d let him in. He’d make a circuit of the condo, then sit down in the middle of the living room and wait for someone to either pet or feed him. And on cold wet days, he’d hang out till the rain or snow stopped, then come upstairs to me. The husband actually liked Beau, and said if all cats were a dog like Beau, he’d have a cat. I’m sure he meant it as a compliment lol. The truth is, Beau was a dog in a cat’s body and soul. But I digress, Beau was a NOC to someone who needed a cat. But he always came home to me.