pm2 - yes, even a 'failed' dog from Dog Guides is pretty amazing. The socialization they get during their puppyhood time in a foster home is invaluable - and something you can't replicate with your own dog. The Dog Guide puppies go EVERYWHERE with the foster 'parents' e.g. in stores, restaurants, offices; at all sorts of public events and public places, etc. etc. The foster process is designed to expose them as many new things as possible, as well as give them basic obedience training, so nothing bothers them and they are calm in unfamiliar places. One of Cole's issues is that he is still a bit too excitable and overly friendly (wants to jump up on people!) so he still needs training in that regard. He's still basically a puppy - he'll be 2 years old on the 27th of this month. When he first came he wasn't walking nicely on leash so we used the training collar combination that Dog Guides uses when the dogs are in training - a Halti combined with a martingale (the one with a loop of chain under the throat - not a full chain collar.) The leash gets attached to both collars - instant easy walking with none of the snaky, evasive manoeuvres you often see with dogs on a Halti collar alone. I'd never seen collars used like that until we started volunteering at Dog Guides. Cole now walks nicely (most of the time!) with just the martingale collar. This is what the arrangement looks like: If you're ever having trouble getting a dog to walk nicely on leash, try this arrangement! Dog Guides breeds their own dogs - although some are donated by breeders too. Cole is a miniature poodle although I think they may crossbreed the different sizes of poodles as there are some standards that are smaller than normal and some minatures that are larger than usual. They use a smaller one than Cole for a lot of HED but I think they're a bit bigger than 'toy' size so may be a cross with a miniature (?) If you love dogs, it's a fabulous place to volunteer! As for accomodating the dogs in the garden.... The main thing is to accomodate their need to patrol territory and explore and play so they aren't bored when outside! The path network in the backyard has paths along the side fences and near the back fence. Because of the 'wet corner' the back path does not follow the back fence and there is a short (6") iron fence (just a cheapie ornamental thing) along the edge of the 'wet corner' bed to keep them out of the mud in the spring - they recognize it as a barrier and stay out. On the NW side of the back fence there is a small bank against the fence so the path runs at the base of the bank and the plantings are tough enough there so they aren't damanged when the dogs visit with the neighbours' two through the fence... :-) traffic patterns considered in layout: neater version of layout: Callie doesn't dig - but Cole has started to excavate one place just off the patio recently! So we need to train him not to do that! Callie's breed does indeed include Cairn terriers in the mix - see link.... Noodle sounds sweet - pictures...? Do you still make her cookies? Cole eats commercial dog food - and we make the dog cookies in small training-treat size pieces to use when working on training (which is constant at his age....) thyme - we were posting at the same time.... thank you - and back at you re the gardens - I always enjoy seeing yours (especially the fall color pictures which have inspired me to pay more attention to that here....) This post was edited by woodyoak on Thu, Aug 8, 13 at 17:44

Frank, I don't think you're a dork, at all! There's nothing wrong with being sentimental, and remembering good things... even if they do make your eyes tear up. I can clearly remember the beautiful Bleeding Hearts my Grandma grew... and her luscious Peonies... and I half laugh/half cry when I think about all the plants my Mom killed, even though she tried so hard... she just didn't possess the gardener gene! It skipped a generation! Actually, Ryan, I have my Calla Lily planted in a very well-draining medium, in a clay pot. It bloomed and grew ok last season, but wasn't really that impressive. It was a $2 bagged rhizome from Lowe's, I think. Not the highest quality, I'm sure. I'm just surprised it hasn't begun to grow yet this year. I haven't had a chance to look at that website with the Irises yet... but I'm going to! I never miss a chance to drool at online photos of gorgeous flowers! I didn't know that those fountain pumps could be adjusted... you learn something new every day! Thanks for that, Ryan! That little piece of information has just widened my choice for an indoor water thingy... I need to up the humidity, and I think a little fountain will help. Well, guys... it's been fun, but the dogs have their legs crossed, so I'm off for now! Have a sweet day!

Hi Newbie, no you're not in the wrong forum there are fabulous examples of what you are looking for if you haven't already seen them but there is also a place for close-ups as well, not only are they beautiful to look at but it can be a help in choosing which particular variety of a flower to buy. I think if you do a search for gottagarden's red bed, libbyshome's cottage garden, wonbyherwit's and steveningen's gardens to name a few you'll find the overall view you're looking for. I could go on forever about the absolutely beautiful gardens in this forum but I'd be typing all night. So you see there is room for both close-ups and overall views. Myself I enjoy both immensely. All you have to do if you have a question about sun exposure and which plant will do best in a certain situation is ask, what works in one zone doesn't in another. For instance take some of Haxuan's beautiful flowers if I was to plant them in my garden the poor things would probably croak as her climate is so very different to mine :o). Hope this is of some help. Annette

We've had a cool summer here in the U.P. of Michigan, so a lot of plants are behind. My Datura 'Belle Blanche' is just starting to really take off. Four O'clock 'Alba" is going strong and smelling wonderful, Baby's Breath, white Petunias, Alyssum, and Double White Begonias. The one that really took over is the Borage "Alba". They reseeded from last year, but I don't mind. They're awesome! Little stars nodding in the moon light, beautiful with the dew dripping off them in the early morning. Gotta love 'em! Sounds like I'm going to have to expand my Moon Garden to keep up with you guys!