Greetings and salutations, everyone; yes, once again it is I, Mani the tiny purebred border collie, filling in for the guy I live with, and here to bring you the latest news from our garden. You may remember me from such posts as “Cabin Fever”, among at least a few others.
Here I am in a characteristic pose. It was a hot day today. 
I’ve been having a pretty busy day, so I’ll show you some garden pictures and then talk more about myself. I have a movie to show you, and it is truly excellent, so I’ll just go through these pictures quickly.
Here’s the white form of Cyclamen coum; that’s supposed to be exciting. The one called ‘Lake Effect’ is behind it.
And Crocus atticus, or sieberi, ‘Bowles’ White’. 
Some of the hellebores are blooming in the side yard, but here’s one that’s almost open. I don’t go anywhere near hellebores.
And, finally, the whole point of the post. I had a lot of fun today, and the guy I live with made a movie of it.
You can see that I had an excellent time. All this activity has tired me out, and so I’ll let you go for today.
Until next time, then.
the miserable gardener 
That snow sure went fast. Look at all the flowers blooming. They were just waiting for sunshine.
That was quite the first best most excellent water splashing video. 🙂 Our Annie loves mud puddles but hates baths. Dislikes the word BATH too. Lol Wait till the guy you live with gives you one. Not as fun as splashing in bird baths. 🙂
Thanks; I enjoyed de-watering the bird bath. The guy I live with said that the purebred border collie who lived here before me used to do that, with water bowls. Indoors and out. I discovered how the bird bath gets filled, too. Something called a hose. This looks very promising indeed. It’s 80 degrees F (about 27C) today, with twelve percent humidity.
I agree with you, Mani, hellebores are wicked sharp, and I avoid them too. Thank you for showing us “Bowles White,” I’ve never seen the flower and I know it is a most important crocus named after an important writer and collector. It’s like if I showed you the rose “Graham Stuart Thomas.” Wonderful fun you gave us with the video. Is that a tiny frustrated moan I heard before you walked away? I bet you wanted to set your purebred border collie behind in that bowl, but it wouldn’t cooperate. More fun tomorrow.
Yesterday at Dog Park someone speculated that a tiny dog looking uncannily like you only not as cute, duh, might be a mini border collie puppy. Whole concept seems *not excellent* so I refuse to check for accuracy. I enjoy seeing you grow up. You’ll mature soon enough too.
Thanks; no, you know, I say a lot. The guy I live with says that the first border collie who lived here said a lot, too, but that none of it could ever be deciphered, and that what I say is also a mystery. I say things like “rooaaraa” and the guy I live with just says it back. I think that’s silly. He also says that it was the snowdrop named after Bowles that went for like a zillion dollars, for one bulb. I’m going to go to Puppy Day Care as soon as I qualify. (Shots and so forth.) To learn social skills. Though I already like all the dogs I’ve met (I was being held), and also the little kids, and in fact I let two of the neighbor kids hold me, without chomping them. The day care is so the guy I live with can walk without having his shoelaces untied, I guess.
White cyclamen coum, my longed-for plant… Making them a reward to myself in the not-too-distant future if I get the spring orders planted.
And I’m wiping my eyes from laughing after Mani’s “exploration” of shallow water.
I had a very good time.
The guy I live with says you get get white coum from Hansen’s Nursery (send email for PDF) or Edgewood Gardens (wait to see when the cyclamen are offered under plant sales, then send email.).
Mani, I like how diligent you were in getting that water distributed “just so” and how you kept whipping your head around to check on the progress. Until I saw this very informative video, I did not know how much effort went into splashing the water out. You totally deserve a nap after that.
Thanks; I try to be diligent. It was really more of an intellectual exercise than anything else.
Dear Mani, please tell the guy you live with that I said you need a bigger pond. I mean what happens when you aren’t tiny anymore ?
Thanks, I’m sure I’ll need one, though, more likely, I’ll lose interest. The guy I live with says he’ll like it when I get bigger and can hog the bed, especially in winter, and that he remembers the person who lived here with him saying how much she wished we could all stay cuddly puppies for ever.
Mani, you’re growing so fast you must twice the size you were when you took up lodgings with the guy you live with. You’ll soon have the whole bed to yourself! Excellent work on watering the path 😉
Thanks, I can hardly wait until the bed is all mine. Plenty of room on the floor for anyone else.
thanks for the video, mani!! are my eyes playing tricks on me or have you gotten much BIGGER??!!
I thought the same thing — WOW! Aren’t we pushing at the boundaries of the meaning of “tiny”! Time to get out the Way Back Machine and do some ensmalling.
While I am almost huge, at the same time I’m still extremely little, like I can be cuddled in the guy I live with arms and stuff. He says that time moves both slowly and quickly, which I don’t really believe, but he still says it.
It’s true, I’m almost huge.
Bob..cute pup. going through similar trevails with a three month old giant schnauzer that also has an affinity for garden labels. Not as bad as when the flock of guineas got into the greenhouse last winter though.
Thanks; wonder if a different labeling system will be necessary.
Herding classes might be fun. There must be venues in your area.
There are, but I already know how to do that. It comes naturally. I’m very good at herding the guy I live with when we’re out in the garden. Nipping at his heels, for instance.
You are the cutest. Maybe you need a little wading pool when it gets hot!
Thanks, I agree I’m pretty cute. The guy I live with says so all the time.