Hello everyone; yes, once again it is I, Mani the tiny purebred border collie, here to tell you all about my day, and share some news about the garden. You may remember me from such posts as “The First Morning”, and maybe a couple of others.
Here I am in a characteristic pose.
There wasn’t any snow today, which was pretty different. The sun came out, and that was even more different.
The guy I live with was really mad, because rabbits had eaten some of his plants, but he sprayed some anti-rabbit stuff and put up another cage so maybe that will take care of it. We don’t know how the rabbits get into the yard.
There were plants coming up. This is Corydalis glaucescens ‘Early Beauty’. The guy I live with says that these corydalis don’t care about the weather.
It was pretty funny to run away from the guy I live with when he wanted me to come inside; he can’t catch me. It’s also fun to pull plant labels out of the ground. I know I’m here to make his life cheerier, so I probably won’t get into a huge amount of trouble.
I got a chew stick today.
And I played on the bed, some. The guy I live with’s friend, who is no longer here, decorated this bedroom. This is where we sleep. Those are her books there. He says it makes him very sad to think that she can’t cuddle me, because she would have loved to. Well, who wouldn’t? I look pretty cuddly.
I was going to go to sleep on the stairs, but the guy I live with said that was “ill-considered”. I didn’t think so, but he overruled me. 
Downstairs, I got all fierce. I do look pretty terrifying, don’t I? I mean, you would run if you saw me coming, right? Even fiercer than the cast skull on the little table. I think that’s a lion. That was hers too, so the guy I live with isn’t completely sure. But it’s not as fierce as this purebred border collie coming right at you, now, is it? 
There’s a downstairs below this, but I haven’t been down there yet. There’s a bed down there, and some other stuff. And there are irises. Here’s one. They’re being raised there until they can go outside, in a month or two.
Iris paradoxa var. choschab
That’s about all that’s been going on. The guy I live with checks seedlings, plays with me, goes outside with me, feeds me, runs the vacuum cleaner (which is scary), and we take naps. That’s about it. I’ll leave you with another cute picture of me. I mean, why not, huh.
Until next time, then.
the miserable gardener 
I like how you can hold a chew stick in your mouth and stick your tongue out at the same time. You’ve mastered both the exceptionally cute and the terrifyingly ferocious looks. Well done, Mani!
Thanks; it does require a high degree of coordination. I tried to be fierce with a squirrel today, but it out-fierced me, and I had to run inside. Maybe next time.
Oh, did he introduce himself? Was it Earl? Wow, 7 pictures of you and 2 of plants! Not that anyone is keeping score.
I didn’t know who it was. It was an angry squirrel, “chucking” at me, the way the guy I live with says they do. Had to put some plants in, right? Plants aren’t generally very cute, though, and I think we know what, or should I say who, is…..
Well, I’M scared!
Also, damn bunnies!
Also, if only your guy’s friend were still there, life would be exceptionally perfect, and I wish so much that she was. You, however, my small furry far away friend, have made his life, and ours, better than it was without you.
Thanks; yes, the guy I live with says he made the right decision getting me so soon after he lost the last purebred border collie who lived here, and who, by the way, left me an excellent selection of toys. The guy I live with also says that, given my total fierceness, that I am capable of chasing bunnies out of the yard. How they get in is a mystery. Maybe they fly. I have gigantic rabbit feet myself, my hind feet (I mean for my size, which is definitely not large), and I think I should post a picture of them, but people might get jealous.
Mani – if you want to be even more popular with the guy you live with, tell him he should also grow corydalis ledebouriana. And it would give you another label to have fun with.
Oh, we have that. I was just told. And we have schanginii, nudicaulis, oppositifolia, seisumsiana, popovii, etc. It’s almost time for them and so the guy I live with is fairly excited. And there are some “regular” corydalis, too.
Yes I think the guy you live with made the right decision to get you. So much cuteness and energy will keep anyone from being depressed for sure. Hey we are feeling better too. 🙂 Our Annie is a good rat and squirrel chaser so I’m sure you will be a good bunny chaser. 🙂
Thanks; I pretty much agree. I understand there was a lot of “emotional turmoil” before the guy I live with drove up to get me, but somehow I think that was all exaggerated. I discovered I’m very good at eating, and barking at my reflection, and sleeping upside-down in the bed.
Oh, sweet doggie, thanks for entering all your readers’ lives. I agree with your wisdom that the emotional turmoil was totally unnecessary. Some things are just *right*. Also “right,” the claim of Corydalis glaucescens ‘Early Beauty’ to its name. You do look pretty fierce, I don’t know what that squirrel’s problem was. However, you remain totes adorb even in your fierceness, and I suppose it will ever be so. I wonder how grown up you’ll be by the time we see photos of that iris in bloom. Must know: are those the famed Pottery Barn sheets? They look first best, top tier to me.
Thanks; the guy I live with said it “felt right” the minute he picked me up. I don’t know how grown up I’ll be when the iris blooms, but here’s a picture: http://tinyurl.com/k6hldn2 Oh, no, those aren’t sheets from Pottery Barn; they’re really, really old, though, and super soft. There’s a reason why I know how soft they are.
Sorry to fall into cliché, but “OMG” is only appropriate — the iris is gorgeous. Just want to look and look. Never knew until now an iris can be described as “compelling.”
Yes indeed. The purebred border collie of irises. And then there’s this one. http://www.signa.org/index.pl?Display+Iris-paradoxa+1
“When the iris blooms” – That sounds like the perfect title for a book about the Spring of your life and that of your garden, Mani. Maybe when the guy you live with is super-old and has more time, he’ll be able to write it.
Yes, well, the guy I live with is super-old. In dog years he’s about 450……
You’re growing a beautiful coat,,,
Thanks; I’m working on it as hard as I can.