Elie Beauvilain -- Blooms are beautiful, but my patience is at an end. If she doesn't do something exciting VERY soon, this rose will be gone. All two feet of her. It's been close on five years. Perhaps she will love Texas heat. Gilbert Nabonnand -- It took him a good four years to really establish, but he is finally a graceful plant of some four feet, which covers itself in opalescent blooms. In coastal Southern California, he's a winner. Le Pactole -- This rose was returned to commerce, having been discovered in Sonora by Botanist and Rosarian Fred Boutin. I LOVE IT! I saw it first in the Sacramento City Cemetery, where it is at least 8 ft. tall. The bloom color is very like Lamarque, but the form is different. Twisting ribbon-like petals give it a unique look. Le Pactole may take a while to mature, but once it does, it's a winner. Radiance -- It has been said of the Radiance clan that they can be grown successfully in any place where civilized man (or woman!) has managed to live. That's probably no exaggeration. They are disease-free, beautiful, and vigorous. I have Red Radiance, and intend to get Radiance. Lady Anne Kidwell -- Among my favorite Poly-Teas. A graceful plant which can get big if not pruned. Disease-resistant in California. Blooms in volume. You won't regret this one. Sprays are very open (this is not a prospect for rose shows -- judges hate it). Blooms remind me of softly-tied cerise satin ribbons. Jeri

George - Your web site's grown a lot since I last looked at it. I hadn't seen your paintings before & they make me wish I had your talent (I have none whatsoever). Until I clicked on the one of Mt. Fuji I thought it was a Japanese woodblock. Looking at your Kilchurn Castle Loch Awe painting, makes me think you'd enjoy turning your hand to painting your versions of various Japanese woodblocks. (There are hundreds of these to be seen on e-Bay - and I think many of the ones of landscapes might appeal to you.) The link that you have to William Corey's pictures of Japanese gardens is fascinating - including his description of his enormous camera & what it led him to. And it was great to see all the (to me) new pictures of your own garden. Herb

I know all about Dachshunds - the good, the bad (back/neck disc issues). We have had 5 - my 2 special guys being SUPER Alpha - but Benevolent with their Dachshund siblings and the cats. You need to know the temperament of the Dachshund - at age 2 it will be apparent to the current owner - if the pup had been with you prior to puberty you would know this already - and if you do take the little darling in it will probably take a couple of weeks for true temperament to show itself. Personally, I love the Alpha Dachshunds - smart, stubborn, loving - and I was very fortunate to have had 2 of them. The love of my life - passed on Sept. 13, 1997 - leaving behind 3 Dachshund siblings and 2 cats who missed his leadership - and the house felt empty - as silly as that sounds considering the menagerie we had. Then we heard about a little/big guy - who was also Alpha and like our first guy, was having difficulty finding a forever home because the people who took him in thought they were getting a funny, "stuffed toy" type of dog. Many Dachshunds - especially these days are mild-mannered, but then, not always the case. So not the best beginnings. So we adopted him, brought him home and peace was restored. We were very lucky to have found a second soul mate - not quite as close to our hearts as our first guy - but pretty darned close. Of course these 2 special guys were the ones who had worst case back/neck disc disease - and they did have the surgeries. I am very familiar with Boxers because our current dog's groomer has 2 Boxers, loves Boxers - and of course many of her clients are Boxers. Both of her Boxers are of even temperament - but as with any breed, temperaments can vary. I went to the Woofstock dog event in Toronto a few years ago and had my Dachshund fix when I saw a whole group of people with their Dachshunds - all discussing their tummy issues and I couldn't believe how mild-mannered all of the dogs were. My guys did not have any stomach issues - just the opposite - and boy can they eat. We had a Beagle prior to adopting our first Dachshund and figured the Beagle was piggy #1 - not so! And smart - especially our first guy. In your particular circumstances, if the pups get along I would probably take in the Dachshund. And as I am sure you are aware Boxers have their health issues as well. We decided not to get another Dachshund because of the back issues we went through twice and I just couldn't do it again. But Dachshunds will always be the dogs of my life. Re the steps another poster suggested. I would have to disagree based on my experience and recommend ramps instead. A ramp to the bed and to the couch etc. You could move it around. They are easily obtainable these days at stores like PetSmart (even in Canada) due to the number of small (teacup) dogs these days. I would severely limit the climbing of stairs etc. But bottom line is that while you can minimize risk, you can't prevent back disease if it is going to happen. There are many Dachshunds who never experience a back event - but others that do. I don't know the size of the Dachshund you are considering - but I wouldn't go with a teacup - would want the dog to weigh no less than 8 lbs. Ours weighed 10 - 12 lbs (others might disagree, but a dog needs to be able to step up a curb). I once met a 2 lb. designer Dachshund and felt sick - fully grown. I really hope you are able to give this pup a home. I don't want to scare you off by the possible back problems - it is just that we did not luck out with our 2 special guys - I know that sounds awful - as we loved all of our Dachshunds and did not treat any of them differently - it was just that they were our soulmates - the other pups had no back problems. I doubt that there is a Rainbow Bridge, but am hoping that there is. We now have an American Eskimo who gets nervous when we meet a Dachshund because he senses the bond - particularly with the Alphas. They love me - what can I say! Please report back if you take in the big/little guy - and remember Dachshunds are small in stature only. They get along famously with Dobermans. Actually a baby Dobe (before the ears are cropped) resembles a fully developed Dachshund. (I would not bring a baby Dachshund into the house until fully formed if a cat lived there since they do look like mice.) By the way, my 22 lb. Eskie (a boy who looks like a girl) gets along very well with the Boxers - one being one of his many girlfriends.

Without seeing the structural bits, it is hard to tell. What's important is that it fits and you like it.