I don't know what the laws are where you are, but where I live you are not allowed to channel water to someone else's property. It must exit your own property to the street. I agree with Yardvaark. It sounds like you need to research where the city planners designed the water to go and find out why its not going there. Its not hard to find that info. The city should be able to give you the development plan for your subdivision. Our city worked with us to help us solve the problem we had. I was told that just after the subdivision was built some neighbors further up the hill from us had similar issues to you. The city had to come in and build a storm drain through at least 2 of the lots to solve the issue for them. If you were not having these issues before your neighbor built his pool and garage then it sounds like you need to bring the issue up and demand it be solved. If it had happened to us and the city and homeowner weren't helpful in solving the problem we'd be suing both of them for not addressing the issue of drainage and recouping the cost of having to pump all that water out. In my son's old neighborhood the one house on the corner that was the lowest and kept getting flooded year after year was finally purchased by the city, torn down and a small park sits there now. But it took a long time for that to happen. I don't know for a fact, but I suspect law suits were involved. - In the link below I show how we solved our problem. But we really didn't have much issue with neighbors' lots draining into ours it was that our lot wasn't graded correctly in the first place and the water had no outlet to exit our property. Good Luck and please report back what happens. Here is a link that might be useful: Back yard drainage

Now see, I haven't heard a thing about those toads - are they a recent phenomena? I'm returning to the desert after 6 years in the mid-west; there's a lot I've forgotten and things do change.... Anywho, there are some great books out there - if you'd like to tell us which ones, we might be able to supplement your list. As for trees..... I agree with the Desert Museum. Not only do they have the attributes piranhafem mentioned, but they also have an incredible bloom in the spring - bright yellow, slightly larger flowers than the species. Some people aren't as thrilled, but I like the bloom drop that forms a golden carpet underneath the tree. It dries and dissipates pretty quickly, but it's definitely something you don't want to have to clean out of your fountain. The Mesquites are also pretty fast growing; they are native and need very little care short of the occasional shaping. Very drought tolerant, and I wouldn't put them in a lawn because of the water they would receive - in fact, a few of the desert trees are good in lawns (too frequent and too shallow of water). As they age they can get very nice branch structure, great for putting sitting areas under. The natives do have thorns, but there is a thornless hybrid, Maverick. I think there is also a thornless Honey Mesquite (more upright, bright green and a bit leafy-er than some of the mesquites) which is one of my favorites. There are several different cultivars of Desert Willow for a long, summer blooming tree that stays about 25', and takes a few years to get there. I know you asked for faster growing, I only mention this one because I just got a Chilopsis 'Bubba' and am totally in love with the magenta and pink orchid shaped flowers. If you want to see, I've posted a link below. Honestly, there are *tons* of great trees, and I would hold off getting any until you've had a chance to live in your home for a while, or just plant any you put in now somewhat far from your home until you know what you need in terms of light, how cold things get, etc. Tucson has a botanical garden - I haven't been there in years but it and Tohono Chul park in northern Tucson are great places to go to see what is available, and what it looks like planted. The Desert Museum in west Tucson is a must-see for anyone; you will learn more about your new home in an couple of hours than anywhere else. Once again, I haven't been in years, so I'm not sure what they have in terms of showing off trees, but if they're hybridizing plants, I'm betting they have good ones. If you make it up to Phoenix, another must-see for plant lovers is the Desert Botanical Gardens - it's a great place to see hundreds of established plants and get great ideas. Blah blah blah, lol. If you have any other specific wants on trees, let us know, there's some very knowledgeable people on this forum. Here is a link that might be useful: Desert Willow 'Bubba'

I've never seen an 8 ft coachwhip in Calif. They rarely get that long in other regions. Coachwhips change color somewhat as they mature. It sounds like you found a hatchling. They lay eggs. Some snakes bear live young, but not coachwhips. Some subspecies of coachwhips are popularly known as "red racers." At the moment I'm in AZ and away from my library to check your subspecies. They capture prey with their mouth and by hold it down with a loop of the body, but they're not constrictors. Snakes have recurved teeth to hold prey. A coachwhip is unlikely to capture and hold even the smallest dog, but the snakes can deliver a nasty bite. For you, you'd have to catch it to be bitten. I like your attitude: curious but not overreactive.

Okay, good information. And Kudos to you for adopting and what a regal dog !!! My first concern would be a physical problem and the vet NEEDS to check out your dogs back and back end to make certain there is nothing wrong physically. Nerve problems in the back can make it so your dog has NO IDEA of when it is time to go. You wrote: "~ We never yell or hit him when he has an accident. We just show him and tell him, "NO . . . bad dog! Kennel!" Pick up the poop and take it and him to the kennel where we put it down and say, "Kennel . . . good dog, kennel" We then meticulously clean the rug using a good quality dog accident cleaner & deodorizer. " This connect negativity with bathroom works and you should really stop doing it. THIS "Ronin has an accident perhaps once or twice a week, although never peeing. All the other times, we/I just take him out to the kennel and lock him in until he goes, when we let him right back in, praising him, "Good dog, kennel!"." Is also not a good idea. Next I would call the foster person and ask if they had the same problem. If all that turns out to be normal and this is a new behavioral problem I suggest a couple of things - First you have had the dog 3 weeks and he is going through a period of transition - so you are bound to have something come up. You wrote that he is okay with other dogs and people and he gets kennelled on a rgular basis. All okay *BUT* you have failed to write ANYTHING about his daily walking routine!!! This dog should be taken out on a leash walk at least 3 times a day. For at least 15 minutes a day. NO LESS. Im not tqlaking just a quickie around the block where the dog sniffs a couple of bushes. Im talking find a good fire road or an area where your dog can really get in a good pant. DONT let him stop and sniff the bushes or rocks or anything else JUST a good walk at a good clip. Just when you are heading back to the car - let your dog stop and sniff the bushes. Hopefully the regualr walks will help alot - they usually do. Be careful not to go to the same place for his walks. I suspect your new charge is bored, and not stimulated enough. But that is just based on what you wrote....When your dog does do its duty. It is important to first give your dog a command to poop - it should be unemotional. Just a fact - go make a meadow muffin....when the dog does, praise him highly. As if he has just brought you a bag with a thousand dollars in it. If your dog likes privacy (mine does) just make certain you bring a longer leash so he can hide behind a bush or tree for his duties. Another part of the training is to take his present and take it outside to a place where you will walk your dog daily. Be certain to stop and let him sniff his stuff, give the unemotional command and praise him....good luck - let us know how it goes.