Greetings and salutations, everyone; yes, once again it is I, Mani the purebred border collie, filling in for the guy I live with, and here to bring you the latest news about, well, about me. You may remember me from such extremely me-related posts as “Look Who’s One”
Here I am in a characteristic birthday pose. I’m two years old today.
We’re not doing much today because of what happened night before last. I guess this doesn’t require much explanation.
One alarming thing did happen today, though. The guy I live with was sorting through things in the upstairs closet, and found this terrifying object. It makes very unattractive and scary noises. 
The guy I live with’s nephew super really wants this thing, so he’s going to get it, along with a harmonica, and a book of instructions on how to make even more noise.
So at least I’m not getting this for my birthday. The guy I live with says I, actually we, already have everything necessary for happiness, and so I guess that’s good enough, isn’t it?
I did get to be naughty out in the back yard, barking at squirrels and ignoring the guy I live with, too.
And there’s the snow, which I ran in yesterday.
Until next time, then.
the miserable gardener 
Oh, Happy Birthday to you, dear dog. You lighten my mood year-round, especially in these days.
The guy you live with is right, you two do have everything necessary for happiness. Blissful it is to watch you run in your own back yard. I like that you have behind you a tree decorated for the season, all ready to celebrate the coming Solstice. And I think barking at squirrels and ignoring the guy you live with is the equivalent of blowing-out-birthday-cake-candles fun.
Congratulations, Mani, on another fulfilling year. We got lucky with your coming.
Thanks; I think both I and the guy I live with were lucky that I showed up here, especially when I did. The tree is one of the pinyons that weighed about three hundred pounds that he dragged into the back yard with a hay hook. And it’s doing quite well. It’s supposed to be in the fifties tomorrow …
Happy Birthday, Mani. Another trip around the sun!
Thanks. I didn’t know I made a trip around the sun, but it was explained to me. Kind of scary.
Don’t think about it too hard!
Being two does have some responsibilities, or so I’m told. Making sure the bed upstairs stays warm after breakfast is an important one.
Oh Mani. Two looks fantastic on you. xo Auntie Patricia
Thanks. I feel almost grown up now, but the guy I live with said “teenager”, with a sort of moan…
happy birthday, sweet mani!! your messages entertain, and the photos of your sweet face make me happy!! enjoy the snow!
Thanks; I think the snow is starting to evaporate now. I’m not sure what the responsibilities of being two are; I guess I’ll find out. Maybe there aren’t any.
TWO! Happiness is a pure bred border collie leaping on a snow day and even though I am not a DoG, Mani, you make me feel as if I have the heart of a pure bred border collie. May all the squirrels in your domaine make a clean escape, but only after a good chase. Happy Birthday.
Thanks. It is fun chasing squirrels, though they always do get away. They climb trees, if you didn’t know. The snow is disappearing fairly quickly.
Happy birthday Mani! Could you ask the guy you live with for some advice for me? I have offered to plant the yard / gardens at my son’s new house in Denver (I am back east). I’ll be going out there in April to help him — he has a blank slate to work with and I’ll want mostly shrubs, not too many perennials or grasses. Can you recommend a Denver garden / landscape center where we can buy woody plants? Or does the guy you live with do mostly mail order shopping? I’m an Eastern gardener, so I read your blog to see what grows in the west — and to see what it looks like out there!
Thanks so much . . .
Thanks. Well, the guy I live with mostly goes to Harlequin’s Gardens, in Boulder, though there are nurseries in the eastern part of the metro area, too. Mail-order woody plants aren’t as big as the ones you can get at nurseries here.
Hey Mani, Happy Birthday! Did the guy you live with play Happy Birthday to you on that banjo before closing it up for good? I hope so. But even if not, you look very merry dashing through the snow!
Thanks; no, the guy I live with just twanged on the thing, quite horribly. One of the strings broke years ago when he tried to play it, and it was put away after that. It belonged to the late lady of the house, who must have gotten it in the early 1970s. The snow is melting like crazy here.
Happy two years old darling doggie! The snow bounding pictures were quite exhilarating!
I also want to respond to the sad post for Marcus from Down Under. I was shocked and saddened and I will miss his comments. Your tribute was lovely and fitting.
Thanks, for both things. The guy I live with says that being both sad and happy at this time of year is not unusual. It’s supposed to be very nice for the next few days, and maybe most, if not all, of the snow will be gone by Christmas.
Two?!? Where does the time go?
Two. And four days now. The guy I live with says that time just races by. Not so much for me, though, really.
From a couple of posts ago: Condolences about the loss of your friend Marcus. Your photos were a lovely tribute.
Thanks.