Thanks! Yesterday I had the large Insectlore pop-up outside as I was transferring Painted Ladies into it with a Lavatera maritima plant (I had one with a Cheeseweed but the PLs didn't seem to care for that plant). Cheli watched me move the PLs from one pop-up to the other and was quite interested in the entire process. The butterflies stayed outside all day (it was a gorgeous day-in the 80s) as I was hoping for some amorous behavior on their part (my Kindergartners are hoping for eggs). Later in the afternoon I looked over and there was Chelsea, sitting in front of the pop-up. She was intently watching those butterflies flying around. She tried to 'paw' at one so I said, "Chelsea, you have to be gentle! Kisses only!" I watched to see what she'd do. She started LICKING the netting. LOL I bet those PLs wondered, "What the heck?"

Leogirl, you are so right. That is all I want to do, just wrap my arms around him and not let him out of my sight. I have been a paid home respite carer for about 15 years, particularly with people with Alzheimer's, so I know the heartache some of you have had to deal with. I also know that my Glenn is suffering greatly emotionally and that he knows how devastating this is for all of us. He has put up his defences and won't even let his wife talk about his feelings yet. I have left messages on their phones today but so far have not received a reply and it is almost 11pm tonight. His father and I hope to be able to see him tomorrow. Glenn and I are so much alike and we have a deep understanding of each other. As much as I want him to talk to us, I also know that he needs to protect himself and distance himself for now. But as you all know, there is a difference in what we know with our heads and feel with our breaking hearts. My younger son is taking it all very hard. He and his wife are expecting their first child in June and his emotions are so mixed up between happiness and deep,deep sadness. I know the baby will be a blessing to us all but I find it almost impossible to think that far ahead just now. Glenn's wife Heidi and I are very close and she knows that she can call me at any time of the day or night. She has been strong but the truth is just sinking in for her. I wrote Glenn a letter about two years ago, just felt like doing it one day and I know that whatever happens, he has always known how much I love him. He loved the letter and he loves his Mum. Somehow, I feel that things are going to change this coming week and that is why I need to see him tomorrow. Thank you all for your caring words. Elspeth

He has been walked regularly since he came home, if not daily then at least 3-5 times per week. I have three children and he (our dog) is very much a part of our family. He comes to pick up the kids from school, to the park with us when they play, for long walks with the baby in her stroller while the older two are at school. Because of his anxiety, we did work with a trainer when we first got him, and worked with her extensively. Not on this particular issue, but in general, we have worked with multiple trainers actually.... in addition to the animal behaviorist, we also saw someone because he had issues with people coming into our home, and he has also been through beginner, intermediate, and advanced obedience training, as well as receiving his canine good citizen award. Like I said, our dog is a major part of our family and he participates in almost everything we do together. Yes, he does hate his crate, no doubt. But unfortunately for him he has seperaxion anxiety (and he is on meds for it)and if he isn't in his crate when we leave he chews the furniture, knocks over the garbages, and basically destroys what he can do to his anxiety. So hate it though he does, he is also used to it. I understand thinking its cruel to crate him when he needs to go... but that is exactly what one does with a puppy when they are 'crate training' them not to go in the house. I am taking him where I want him to go and giving him ample opportunity to relieve himself before putting him back in for a short time and trying it again. I dont understand saying I am 'not allowing him to go to the bathroom'. Would you say the same to someone who crates their dog because their dog constantly goes in the house? Likely not. This is really no different. I am simply trying to teach him to go somewhere else (other than the yard) and using a method that is pretty standard for housetraining puppies. I don't see how I am not allowing him to go to the bathroom. I am taking him where I want him to eliminate and giving him plenty of time and opportunity to do so. I came here hoping to get some helpful suggestions for how to show him its OK to pee somewhere else, and instead I am being called cruel for not allowing my dog to pee. Seems a bit odd to me...I am not a first time dog owner, I have had dogs for 25 years and have worked with animals in some capacity for a good portion of those years as well. I can guarantee that I am not cruel to any of my animals.

I've got a 28ft extension ladder (28 ft when collasped) and it is all that I can handle. I could not lauch a larger ladder! I use it to service my 2-story house. For everything else outside, I use an 8 ft, fiber glass, step ladder. The 8 ft ladder is a little large to use inside, so I kept a very old 6 ft wooden step ladder from the first house that we owned. In the not too distant future, I should dispose of the wood ladder for safety's sake. suspect that its load rating is about 2/3 of what it once was. I am a guy, and yes, you can have too many ladders. You have too many when you run out of storage space. Build a shed or barn and you can have more ladders. (It requires more ladders build a barn, you see.)