Doggie Daycare, Garden Pests and Hardwood Floors

The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Another stunningly clever title, wouldn't you say?

I took Dakota to doggy daycare yesterday, for the first time. I wasn't sure how she'd do because she's incredibly timid around new things and people. But, I knew her friend (a 4 month-old puppy named Star) would be there because I was dog-sitting him in the evening, so I figured she'd at least have someone familiar.

I got a report card when I picked her and Star up at 3:30. It read --

I had a great time while: socializing with my new friends. I was pretty shy this morning, but as soon as Star saw me, he gave me lots of kisses and I started to relax.

Some of my new friends are: Star, of course :-), as well as Dakota the chocolate Lab, Riley the Golden Retriever pup, Nala the black Lab, Roxy the Golden Retriever, Mollie the yellow Lab, Mojo the Boxer and Bledsoe the yellow Lab.

This is what the staff has to say about me: Dakota is a big sweetheart! She was pretty shy today and preferred to watch the other dogs get rowdy, but she was very curious about everything. Daycare will help her build confidence and relax around groups of dogs.

Isn't that cute?

We'll be taking her in once a week, or once every other week, just for a break. She may be quiet and shy THERE, but she sure isn't HERE.

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Dena, you mentioned you had green bugs on your roses. You didn't give a description, but there's a good chance they are aphids (because the really LOVE roses). Don't be mislead by the brown aphids in this picture... scroll down a bit to find the green ones. They are protected by ants who "milk" them, and the ants will attack predators (like the aphids worst enemy: the ladybug). If you're an organic gardener, you can try cleaning them off with a damp rag (maybe with a bit of soap or rubbing alcohol), or you can buy ladybugs. If you aren't , there are plenty of poisons that will kill them. Good luck!

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Speaking of pests... it seems it's not a chipmunk or a mole I'm fighting with in my garden -- it's a VOLE. I went in to my local Agway today and asked about my problem, and they said since it's eating the tubers and bulbs and based on the small size of the holes, etc., I had a vole. Dang it. They suggested traps -- but I balked at that. First: I don't believe in randomly killing other critters to get the one I want. If I put out traps, I'm going to catch all kinds of rodents who AREN'T eating my bulbs. That's not fair. Second: I don't want to see it's little corpse. I'm considering a live trap. Is that silly? I can catch him and take him many miles away to a lake area where he can live out his life without eating my plants. Of course, I wonder what else I'll catch?

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I can't believe I have all of my edits finished for "Kitchen Matches" and haven't even seen a possible cover yet. Dang, my editor and I are quick! LOL... I hope it's a fun cover. Liv was so serious. Guess we'll see someday soon.

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Ahh... hardwood floor installation. It was so much fun the first time around, it seems DH and I are helping my SIL install it at HER house today. Oh. Whee. I've been given permission to only participate part of the day because of Dakota and the DD... thank heavens. I have too much stuff on my plate to lose an entire day.

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Too bad the puddles are all frozen solid in January... lol...