Many of the things have been covered so I'll try to avoid duplicates. But another caution: $20 will buy jumper cables good for Texas or Arizona, but not for Minnesota or North Dakota. You'll spend 2-3 times that for a decent set worthy of carrying around here. Check the gauge of the wire and the clamps. Buy from a reputable place, not a discount department store, if you want a good set. Another caution is a cell phone is a good idea but will do you no good without power. Always buy a car adapter and keep it in the vehicle. "Emergency" cell phones, won't be maintained so they won't be charged. Without a charger you stand no chance of using it. Also, be sure to check coverage. Why get one that won't have coverage when you need it? Also, if you need to repair a hose, don't go for the duct tape right away. Electrical tape will seal the hole better. Duct tape won't. Wrap it well with electrical tape and *then* give a wrap of the silver miracle. The grey gold will keep the electrical tape in place better and seal itself better. I always used a coffee can and put a roll of toilet paper in a plastic bag, double bagged, actually. Also had some matches and some large heavy duty garbage bags. A garbage bag will be a one-size-fits-most for a rain poncho, and have numerous other uses. People who use eyeglasses should keep an extra pair in the vehicle, especially if your license requires you to wear them while driving. I always keep water in the vehicle. Sure it freezes in the winter but the small bottles thaw quickly. I also keep aspirin, antacids and the like so I don't have to buy them at outrageous prices if needed. I just take a small bottle and keep a few in there. A roll of paper towels cut in half fits nicely in a coffee can and gives you an alternative to the toilet paper and gives you some ready napkins and something to use to clean up those accidents. Put the garbage bags in there and I like a few wet wipes. Tow chain or a tow strap. Takes little room. Oh, I use the crank flashlights. No need to worry about batteries. I usually like to carry a gallon of window wash fluid (de-icer in the winter) and a gallon of antifreeze. If you break a hose you can get the radiator filled. Dump in the antifreeze and it can get you going to a place to add some water. Or if your near a water source, even a lake, stream or ditch, you have a container for the water. Clothes appropriate for the climate. And a comealong winch is a good idea too. Can extend the reach of the tow strap and you can winch yourself out of a bad spot. And I believe in keeping some cash, including change, in the vehicle. Pay phones used to be a big reason but that's more obsolete now but if you have to buy some gas, or bandages or something, you might find a few dollars handy. Nobody's saying you should carry everything everyone has suggested. Very few people would find a gas wrench useful - most wouldn't know how to use it. So you use it for ideas. Modify it. There is no all-inclusive list that will work for everyone. Some things you would take on a trip but not leave in there all the time. Some things should be in there. Minnesota requires you to carry proof of insurance. I keep one card in my wallet and one in the vehicle. Belt and suspenders I suppose. I still haven't gotten around to stocking my "new" vehicle yet. But probably have most of it in there. When the weather gets nicer I'll clean it out and check inventory against my checklist.

Buehl, please do! I was just trying to save something of use. I'd been checking the GW all night, turned my back for 15 minutes to watch the Health Care vote, and whammo! all the posts were gone. I kept refreshing, thinking, "This can't be!"

I hadn't thought of what busybee mentioned-- collecting behavior. I would think you'd see signs of it as you gather the items he amasses while you are out. I had some early challenges with establishing myself as the alpha after I adopted my rottweiler/mastiff-- along with some other challenges. It was a great experience for me as a dog owner-- and the exercises I used really helped increase our bond. I never implemented any one program fully, but I borrowed from NILIF (nothing in life is free) whereby she had to work for her food and walks with good socialized behaviors. I know this isn't your problem but I think ALL dogs/owners can leapfrog from the examples and benefit. The key is to start small. Grace had been picked up off the streets and was very likely from a puppy mill farm. I had to socialize her to the house as well as to people and other pets. At walk time, things could get crazy-- two large dogs and two cats (who liked to walk along with us-- ala a parade). Leashes would NOT be attached and the door would NOT open until both dogs were sitting quietly. This was a huge step for Grace, especially-- but both dogs benefited from the lesson in self control. Food time was another challenge-- Grace had a strong food drive. She was very underweight when I adopted her (and later I found out she had a productive adrenal tumor which very much increased her food drive) and while I wanted to get her back to health and feed her all she needed-- I insisted on sane meal times. I couldn't have a 115lb rottweiler/mastiff going berserk whenever food was prepared/laid out. This was where the lack of self control REALLY showed itself. Step by step I took her to a place where she would sit and wait for me to kiss her nose and say "Bon Appetit" before she'd eat. Obviously this took a lot of work over a period of time.. but it was something we continued until her last day. One day I was particularly annoyed with her and I skipped kissing her nose and saying, "bon appetit" and my sweet girl just sat there waiting for me-- with her food in front of her. Oh boy did that make me feel like a heel.. all annoyance dissipated and I got teary! She sure showed me! hahah. Again, I know these aren't your problems -- but the point is that especially with the working dogs, setting up exercises and routines will help with the behaviors you don't want to continue and firmly establishes you as the alpha.I share all this because my first dogs were sooooooo easy.. Grace was my first experience with a working dog and a dog that presented such a challenge. I learned so much from her-- and with her. All that said, I wouldn't be too concerned unless you are seeing collecting/guarding behaviors. I think the collecting of the things with your scent IS a natural behavior. I don't know that I'd jump to give her a stinky shirt but definitely identify the toys/articles that are "his" and when you collect what he's amassed-- replace with "his" toys/items. Do you keep his things in one place? I had a basket where I kept my dogs' toys and regularly referred them to it.. it was fun to watch them dig in the basket for their favorites. They never put things BACK in the basket LOL.. but they knew where to find them. Again-- you are all so blessed. These are just little bumps in the road in your long lives together! <3

Ants, usually are not a problem in gardens, although there are a few species in some parts of the USA that certain species could. None of those have adapted to New York, yet. Contrary to what many think ants are not often a problem in any garden. Ants are part of Ma Natures recycling machine and while they may clean up dead earthworms they do not, at least up north, kill them. kimmq is kimmsr