[BobD]

I've had a St. Bernard for 5 years now--and wouldn't trade her for anything. We and a lab/rotty mix, but he was too hyper--as was the sheltie/husky mix. All Gywn does is lay around...unless there is a thunder storm!


Bob

[Paul_Guraedy]

Should have made things a little clearer. We got a Coton de Tulear last fall. I was skeptical about getting a small dog. But, Diana wanted one and I relented. Now, wonder why I waited so long. They are an interesting breed. No dander or shedding. They have long hair so it does take a lot of brushing and combing to keep their coat in shape. Only 15 pounds and about a foot tall, they fit well into the RV lifestyle. Originally from Madagascar, the breed was saved from extinction by pirates who found them to be good ratters and playful dogs (also called little clowns as they will do anything to get your attention). There are people with severe allergies that have been able to have Cotons when they could not be where other dogs have been. My wife's allergies are not quite that bad, but it is nice not to have to take allergy shots.

[Irish]

Well! In my continuing sage of the tadpole pond today turned out to be a true Perils of Pauline episode. I got down this morning about 9AM to feed the fish and then, of course, the tapdoles. That's when I discovered the disaster that had struck the little pond ...

The last week to ten days it's been very hot here in Maryland, in the high 90's and very humid. But yesterday it hit over 100. The temperature had risen in the small pond over this time period and this morning I found many of the remaining tadpoles had perished. I have been adding three or four BIG watering cans of pond water to the small pond each day to add a little extra oxygen but obviously it was not near enough.

So ... dropping the feed can I grabbed my net ... scooped out everyone that I could, which, unfortunitaly, was not that hard to do ... and uncerimoniously dumped them into the big pond. It's a sad situation when you tadpoles are sooooo hot that you can scoop them out with your hand! I turned up the filtration and may do a partial water change tomorrow.

The little pond is only about 15" deep in the center where the big fish pond is over 24" deep - that means it's also about 15 degrees cooler and has the filtration. I think some will live, maybe! I even moved the batch of new eggs ... that probably did them in if the heat hasn't.

So, if you think about it tonight ... put out a pan of cold water on your deck, front porch, under your shade tree, where ever. It's hot, we're hot, and they are hot TOO! Maybe even a bread crumb.

Thanks for listening

Susan

And, yes, before anyone says it outloud I will. It's totally ridiculous for an "adult" to be so stressed over a stupid batch of tadpoles ... but I am.

[decoycarve]

Not ridiculous, but an adult who cares about the little things and nature. We often overlook nature. I do decoys but I have never hunted. I enjoy trying to mimic what mother nature does. You don't realize how good she really is until you try to do something just like her. Carving teaches us so much more than how to make wood chips and makes us look at nature thu different eyes.
The frogs will be back again year after year. Next year you may have to walk out to the pond like your drunk to keep from stepping on one. Just be glad they are not Maryland Blue Crabs. The female lays up to a million eggs. 7 crabs will live a full life without being fishfood or being caught!
Goody