I've never paid much attention to classic (or new) HTs at the box stores, of which they carried quite a few, but our local HD carried several OGRs when I still lived in the US. In my first rose growing year in the US, not knowing any better, I purchased one Reine des Violettes, two Rose de Rescht, two Comte de Chambord, one Sombreuil and one modern, Altissimo from them. All true to type except for Sombreuil which turned out to be Cl. Iceberg, certainly an intentional mislabeling. Only one, Altissimo, was clearly virused, as it turned out in its second year. While it performed very well, it couldn't hold a candle to the, I'm quite sure, non-virused Altissimo I bought the next year from DA and planted right next to it. In later years, I had the impression that Reine des Violettes might have been virused too, since some leaves on one, only one, of its lowest branches showed a pattern that could have been RMV, but it wasn't an entirely clear positive. I am not sure about the claim that an RMV infection may not even show at all, not even faintliest. To me such claims sound like "guilty by default (or association) without proof", and as a historian, I have problems with this kind of approach. However, I know that biology (which I've also studied way back then) is not politics or history, and I'd like to see some scientific literature on this. Jeri, do tou have anything at hand? Thanks, Andrea

Lol! I have pink drift, that came from a grower, but pulled out the coral drift because it was competing with roses I liked better. I am practical about my garden. If it works, I keep it, I really don't care about its "common-ness." I have a Prosperity "tree" that I have espaliered to the north side my wall, and I wanted a tiered effect, so I have Pink Drift, Golden Buddha, International Herald tribune, and Natchitoches Noisette under the tree for filler. It works. I suspect you are in good company Sheri. In the heat of summer Drift keeps going. It is like an Ever-ready bunny! My pink drift is quite short and is three years old about 18" x 24" But I know what you mean about its lack of perceived value. I feel that way about a lot of my roses. Many of my roses are earthkind OGRs, which makes them the common roses of the OGR world. But they are beautiful and reliable. Like Pink drift. Only more special.

My3Dogs, that picture of Rooney and Riley is just so sweet. I LOVE Brittanys and that picture shows how wonderfully sweet and snuggly they are. I am sorry to hear about your friend's pup. :( I have been thinking about that, on our search of a dog . . .how short their lives are, esp. Goldens. Even in the best circumstances, dogs' lives are just too short! Maire Cate-- wow! 3 out of 5? That makes me feel better, I guess! They are such sweet and funny dogs in so many ways, but I guess it's hard to find ones that are trustworthy (esp around children). Someone told me they are the mascot of a store in the UK where they'd have actual Wheatens in the store all the time. I wonder if aggression is just becoming more and more of a problem in general among all breeds. Would you say it's a good idea to go visit the breeder and the parents before we make a final decision? I hadn't thought to do that, trusting what the breeder says about them, but that is a good idea. Athomeinva, I'm sorry you went through it, too! I am trying to learn all I can about dog body language so that I CAN feel comfortable again, but I know it will be a challenge. We stayed with family last week and they had a dog-- I was watching the dog with my kids constantly. The difference was that this dog would just walk away if he'd had enough vs. nipped. I am so glad to hear your Golden worked out! Maddielee, I can put up with the shedding! I can put up with the typical puppy nipping and biting too-- the kids have been warned about the land shark phase . . .and they will be highly monitored. If our Wheaten had nipped out of play, we would never have rehomed her. In other words, it wasn't the nip itself but the intent behind it, along with the air snaps/warning signs she gave. She just wasn't comfortable around young children. Sadly, too, once a dog has exhibited this kind of behavior, it's a huge liability, too, esp. since I had documentation of professionals telling me she had to go. Roseseek, how lovely! What a beautiful trio you have! Hee hee about the Fox "Terrors"!

First lesson: Whenever a sales person says "no" ALWAYS ask to talk to a manager. I worked retail for what felt like centuries--sales people have very little authority to approve anything outside the ordinary. A manager does and 99% of the time will give a customer ANYTHING they want. Second lesson: The mix up with another order = you are not the only person who knew this product was sub par. Third lesson:Pay for everything with a credit card and go to them as soon as anyone messes with you!! Fourth Lesson: Once something is entered into a computer wrong--it is near IMPOSSIBLE to fix it. When all the paper work does not end up in the exact proper place the first time--you are STUCK every time. We have a "free" band saw due to someone losing the bill out for it. We called the company, the credit card everyone we found to call--no one could prove we had the item so no one cared/new how to bill it. It was delivered, believe me we have a BAND SAW. A friend orders on line ALL THE TIME from wally world. She received a package that was packed wrong AND she decided she didn't care for the colors. (towels) When she went to return them they were determined to refund her for the extra towel she didn't order and didn't pay for....these people cannot THINK they are drones who follow the path set before them by their managers. I had a transaction I knew would be complicated. I asked the greeter for advise where I should go for optimum success/swiftest service, my first MISTAKE. 45 minutes later, five different employees involved I left without my transaction completed. My boss called his buddy the store manager, she did it over the phone, then my boss went in for a quick pick up. Bottom line WalMart does not hire rocket scientists.