Toots - thanks for the link and your other spot on observations.. I want to take time to read it carefully and absorb what I can and put that into practice. I can also find a way to bring it up with Mirko.
Nights have been bitter cold for a couple of days. I am not liking taking Ruthie out in the middle of the night for her potty. I started looking for a snowsuit I can jump out of bed and just slip on for overnight pottty outings. Saw one that was rated to -50°F. It was pricy but ...