I have to disagree. While copper does offer some protection, Timing for CAR fungicide sprays should be based on the activity of the orange spore-bearing bodies in the cedar trees. These expand in warm, wet weather, and that's the time to spray. Many people rely on their fungicide spray for scab to cover the CAR, particularly the petal-fall spray. I don't think Serenade is specifically listed for CAR, although the label says "rusts"

Ouch! I know what that is like. Planting irises 2 years ago got stung 8 times!! I can't remember what the doctor told me to soak it in but I used calendula cream on the stings and that seemed to help greatly. Also Tiger Balm if you can get it. I use that #$%^& on everything! That's so cute you have a memorial garden for your kitty. I have a bunny tree in the yard that Dad planted when I was 10 and my bunny died. I am looking at it right now as I type. I also have a Land called Honalee, a faerie garden, an easter garden, and a memorial garden for my mom and starting one for Dad. He's still with us but is 91 and has alzheimers. He's the one I got the green thumb from. :) I'm really big on themes and sentimental mushy stuff. I also have Virginia and Ginny DLs and am looking for Sweet Amy Lynn DL cause that is my daughter's name. Soon I am going to need a farm! :) How's the storm stuff?

Cookie ~ I have had shelties for about 10 years now but bred BCs for many years before the shelties. I NEVER had a bad experience with a border collie! They are the gentlest, most intelligent, easy to train, family dogs you could ever ask for, IMHO. My daughter was raised with my first BC puppy we adopted when my daughter was 10 months old. That dog was so patient and gentle with her, even sharing his food out of his dish which she liked to hand out to him one piece at a time! She learned how to walk holding on to Blazah's ruff and collar and he was her constant playmate and guardian. He did guard her and his home but he was never out of line in anything he did. Border Collies are very family oriented dogs. They are a working breed and must have a job even if that job is to hold down the couch! Yes they have high energy and are always ready to work but I have never met a mean BC. They can be shy and submissive which is not always a good thing as they are at their best when they are confident and well socialized. Bad breeding can produce a really shy, withdrawn dog which is a problem with many breeds. Hopefully your little girl is not one of them. BCs mature slowly and really don't come into their own until they are 2 or 3 years old. It sounds to me like you are doing every thing right by this gal and it will be no time at all before she owns her family! You are absolutely not crazy! The more time you spend with her in your family and the more you expose her to, the more you will see the true reason these dogs were bred for their job. Enjoy your puppy and she will return your love a million times over. :) All the best to you in your new roll as doggy mom too. Namaste Ginny

Ah but you forget the other issues, my friend.... Wait until you meet Frank Feldman. Don't know Frank Feldman? Let me tell you THIS little story.... A man walks out to the street and catches a taxi just going by. He gets into the taxi, and the cabbie says, "Perfect timing. You're just like Frank." Passenger: "Who?" Cabbie: "Frank Feldman. He's a guy who did everything right all the time. Like my coming along when you needed a cab, things happened like that to Frank Feldman every single time." Passenger: "There are always a few clouds over everybody." Cabbie: "Not Frank Feldman He was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand-Slam at tennis. He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star and you should have heard him play the piano. He was an amazing guy." Passenger: "Sounds like he was something really special." Cabbie: "There's more... He had a memory like a computer. He remembered everybody's birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Frank Feldman, he could do everything right." Passenger: "Wow, some guy then." Cabbie: "He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams. Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them. But Frank, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good. He would never answer her back even if she was in the wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too. He was the perfect man! He never made a mistake. No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman." Passenger: "An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?" Cabbie: "Well, I never actually met Frank. He died. I'm married to his widow."