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We put in a potty yard last summer and I LOVE IT!! We fenced in the unused side yard of our house and just left the grass that was there. The area is about 60 feet long, and varies from 10 to 16 feet wide. We have four hounds, and this is plenty of room for them to potty and run around a bit. I go out with our dogs every single turn out, and stay out with them. I pick up the poop three to four times each day. I find that the two minutes it takes to scoop at each turn out is worth it rather then having them walk through poop and track it in the house. They all seem to have their favorite spot to poop! Poop is stored in a 5 gallon plastic paint bucket I bought at Lowe's with a tight fitting lid and plastic bag liner. I use the "Jaw of Poop" for pick up and this leaves the grass nice and clean.

I am so sorry Diane. I know what a huge presence a diva can make in your life, so I understand the loss you are facing. My heart is breaking for you. Many Hugs, Carol Ann.

I am so very sorry to hear this Diane. Many hugs and prayers coming your way to help you through the days ahead. Carol Ann

Forever. I have two Greyhound decals at eye level on my living room sliders. One of my closest friends lost a hound to running into her slider. This was not a new dog in her home. This was not even a young rambunctious dog. This was a middle age girl who had lived in this home for a couple of years. She had used the same door multiple times each day for those two years. One night she just 'forgot' the doors were there and ran head on right into them. She broke her neck and died instantly. I was with my friend when she got the call from her husband who was home with the dogs while we attended a Greyhound fundraiser. Trust me, you don't ever want to be with someone when they get a call like that. My friend has since replaced her patio sliders with french doors with many panels. The pain and guilt never goes away though. Something extra that I do is lean a tall wooden baby gate in front of the doors when the dogs go out. It is an impossible to miss reminder that the glass is blocking their entry to the house. I have learned from what happened to my friends' hound.

Janet I am so very sorry to hear of Peanut's passing. I always thought that she was one of the most beautiful fawn girlies around. My favorite thing to remember her by is the way she used to sit froggie legged with her back legs out behind her. Here is a photo that I took of her last winter at Sandy Paws. Run free sweet girl. Hugs, Carol Ann

Continuing to pray for Peanut. Hugs to both of you Janet. Carol Ann

Many prayers being said for Peanut. Hugs, Carol Ann

Oh my gosh, poor Sam. How about a belly band holding a pair of fleece boxers or kids sweatpants in place? Hopefully whatever drugs they have given him for pain will keep him somewhat subdued for the first few days of healing. If you can sew, how about four legged pajamas that you have added an extra panel of soft fleece under the belly? That really would not be that difficult to do and you would just use the jammies as a pattern and then sew the seams. You would have to use velcro on the non injured side so you could get the jammies on and off though.

The 4 ounce bottle of gel is only $15 on Amazon. A bottle that size lasts a long time. I have started using the gel with my finger to rub it in. In just over a week of daily use I can already see the difference. The spray does not seem to work as well as the gel on my finger. I used to use the gel on a toothbrush, but that was not as effective.

I am very sorry Pam.

Rachel I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Echo. She was a beautiful girl who I know made a huge impact on your life. Her little brother Riley also sends his condolences. They looked so much alike. Hugs, Carol Ann & Riley Roo.

Yes, they have her in a harness and on a leash. They stop her from connecting with the crate, but she will not give up - she is totally fixated.

My son and his wife have adopted a lab/pitt mix. She is a one year old female named Roxie. They also have a pet chinchilla that is kept in a large two foot wide by four and half foot tall cage in their living room. Due to the confines of their house, the cage cannot be moved from the downstairs, and there is no way to block off cage from the dog. The new dog is totally fixated on the chinchilla, and will try and throw herself at the crate every chance she can get. They have tried verbal commands, barriers with assorted x-pens and baby gates, spray water bottle and nothing is helping. They have only had the dog since Sunday but they are at their wits end. Does anyone have and suggestions for training techniques they could try? Thank you for your help. Roxie is a very cute dog, and other then this issue she has been perfect.

I am so very sorry Maureen. I hope that the special memories you have of Mr. Murphy will bring you comfort in the days ahead. Hugs, Carol Ann

I am so heartfeltly (not even a real word, but how I feel) sorry Judy. My heart is breaking for your family. Carol Ann

I am so very sorry to hear of Carmon's passing. She was a truly lovely lady.

Since we live in the Central Florida area, our winter days are usually in the mid 30's to low 40's. Our hounds never need coats to go out for potty breaks, and probably not even for a 10 minute walk. However, we are cheap when it comes to heating our house! I generally keep the thermostat set to 62 degrees all winter. My dogs wear jammies all winter long, otherwise they are freezing. Gizzy, our oldest at 9, and smallest at 58 skinny pounds gets cold the fastest. If the house temp falls below about 68 degrees she is cold, and when Gizzy is cold she keeps us awake at night. So Gizzy has a lightweight 'vest' type of covering for this time of year when the house is cooler but not yet cold. Some people have made fun of my hounds needing jammies, but if the temperature inside your house is 62, it makes no difference what the outside temps are - it is cold!!

Marc I am so very sorry to hear of Honey's passing. I am sure that a Greyhound was never more loved then your Honey was by you. May all the special memories you have made with her throughout the years bring you comfort in the days ahead. Many Hugs, Carol Ann & Riley.

I am so very sad and sorry to hear this. Fly with the angels baby. Hugs, Carol Ann

Goodbye Dude. You will always be our favorite pirate boy. Love and Hugs, Carol Ann & Riley.

I am so very sorry for your loss. It sounds to me like the special memories you have made in both your trials and your tribulations with Prajna over the years will last with you always and forever. Sometimes the dogs that challenge us the most in the beginning have the greatest impact on our souls. Many Hugs to you both. Carol Ann

Chris I hope that the wonderful memories you were able to make with Dorie this past year will bring you comfort in the days ahead. Run free sweet Dorie. Soar with the angels - pain free and whole. Hugs, Carol Ann

Gentle hugs coming your way Chris. I am so very sorry. Carol Ann