@Henhouse "Let's Get Drunk and Clip the Poodle". I bet Blake Shelton would sing that song, he likes to have fun!!!

Been a while since I was on this thread, but welcome to Lilli and Carla and maybe some I missed going through the pages.

As to dogs we now have just a West Highlands White Terrier, loves people and dogs, hates little wild critters and wants to kill them all. A "teenage" groundhog got beyond the fence into the yard. Lily left the white fence bloody when all was done! She also hates any kind of dress-up, even a ribbon after grooming, and is usually a mess from digging, not much in the irises anymore fortunately. No tutu for her.

As to kids/grandkids, I have 6, 14 g'kids and my father is from a family of 8 born over 24 year period, so my uncle is 2 years older than me. We had a "family tree reunion" for those within a few hours of eastern Pennsylvania on Saturday and ended up with quite a mix of ages, from 2 to 80's spread over 71 people. It was held in Washington Crossing Historic Park in a rather rustic pavilion, with not a flower in sight, but the poison ivy was the healthiest and largest I have seen in a long time, and the frisbees kept going into the underbrush! Lots of surprise itching the next morning for sure.

I am mostly growing historic irises in the clay the builder left here.

Hi Dave

I knew there was a name I left out, sorry Betsy.
Being in a newly built house I spent the day "hosting" the sheetrock repairman, the refrigerator repair person, the deck guy, awaited scheduling for the bath floor person and now I get to go to the dentist after something cracked on a molar. So nothing important done all day.

Groan!!!!

grannysgarden said:Groan!!!!

Double Groan....................

Impressive fam, Dave!!!

Dave!

Sounds like your Lily is very useful to have around to 'deter' all the little unpleasant critters - and charming name too!

Dave,
I love Westies, but we didn't get one because we had three cats at the time, and they are supposed to be unpredictable with cats, especially ones that run from dogs, and we had one like that at the time.
Sorry about the tooth. I hope it is an easy repair

@DaveinPA Thanks Dave I am really enjoying it here!!!

Wow! I've been busy for the past month or so, and look how much I've missed. I usually hang out in the background and learn all I can, but I guess I should still introduce myself. I'm Becky, and I live in PA between Harrisburg and Lancaster. I really do have five dogs, the result of several questionable decisions Three are chihuahua /jack russel mix, one is black lab mixed with who knows what, and the last one - the one that supposedly adds class to this bunch of mutts - is a pure bred boston terrier. Unfortunately, he is so fat that he bears more of a resemblance to a toad in a tuxedo than to anything canine. I also have four kids who think we need more dogs. In my former life I was a math teacher, but when my first child was born and we learned he had Down Syndrome I was told to quit my job and stay home with him. Three girls followed and people thought we were such a nice family, but over time what was happening inside our home looked less and less like what people were seeing in public. I had never heard of domestic violence, but after 14 years of marriage things had gotten so bad that made an escape plan, the kids and I fled for our lives, and we were granted a 3 year protection from abuse order. We've come pretty far since that day ten years ago and I'm proud of that. But I'm still not sure about all those dogs.

Hi, Becky! That all sounds like a huge challenge, both on a disabled child and on the ex-marriage front. I was married for 16 years and had some of the same issues it sounds like you had. I've now been divorced longer than I was married, and my three sons are all grown and doing fine. Stay proud...but continue questioning five dogs. My goodness!! Digging in the dirt is great therapy, but it doesn't work well if the dogs follow you

5sillydogs said:Wow! I've been busy for the past month or so, and look how much I've missed. I usually hang out in the background and learn all I can, but I guess I should still introduce myself. I'm Becky, and I live in PA between Harrisburg and Lancaster. I really do have five dogs, the result of several questionable decisions Three are chihuahua /jack russel mix, one is black lab mixed with who knows what, and the last one - the one that supposedly adds class to this bunch of mutts - is a pure bred boston terrier. Unfortunately, he is so fat that he bears more of a resemblance to a toad in a tuxedo than to anything canine. I also have four kids who think we need more dogs. In my former life I was a math teacher, but when my first child was born and we learned he had Down Syndrome I was told to quit my job and stay home with him. Three girls followed and people thought we were such a nice family, but over time what was happening inside our home looked less and less like what people were seeing in public. I had never heard of domestic violence, but after 14 years of marriage things had gotten so bad that made an escape plan, the kids and I fled for our lives, and we were granted a 3 year protection from abuse order. We've come pretty far since that day ten years ago and I'm proud of that. But I'm still not sure about all those dogs.

I'm so glad you are ok now.

@5sillydogs

Becky,

Beautiful view.



ALWAYS wanted hair that gorgeous red color.



Priceless expression!

Becky lovely daughter, great looking yard, and cute puppies. Glad you were able to get out (and stay out of) that relationship.

Hello Becky. I will join the others who applaud your decision to survive and save your children. That could not have been easy. I am glad you are all safe. Welcome to the iris forum. Love the garden, the dogs and agree with Debra...... Oh, that red hair!!!
I lurked for a very long time before I joined this group and felt like I knew them well when I finally jumped in. Stick around and we do love photos.

The squirrels must be shaking in their furry little boots with 5 dogs guarding the garden. It took a lot of strength and courage to leave a bad situation like that & I'm glad you're in a happier/healthier situation now..

Becky!!

with what everyone else said! Well done you!

...and I would love to have 5 dogs! ...but I compensate by having one large one - who is not allowed to sit in my irises!