Sigh. It turns out that Bella likes gardening just as much as she likes knitting. Becky, be warned, you might not want to read any further.

My heirloom iris from Becky that I planted back in October have been happily and cozily snoozing away under their blanket of autumn leaves and winter snow. Several weeks ago when the snow finally left I noticed that several of them seemed to be heaving out of the ground with their roots showing. I tucked more dirt around them and reseated a few of them and didn’t think too much of it. I asked Becky’s advice and she said it was pretty normal.

I was outside this afternoon raking leftover leaves and debris out of the flower bed and when I turned around I saw this. My gardening help had decided to pull up and relocate my precious iris!

While I was putting the camera back down before picking them up to plant them again, she grabbed iris #1 and started off with it. See the roots sticking out of her mouth?

[me] BELLA,  nooooooo, drop it!

[bella] uh oh. mom sounds mad. did I do something wrong?
[me] PUT THAT DOWN .... NOW!!!

[bella] geez, okay. like this?

[me] Good girl!

[bella] gee mom, i was just trying to help ...

Just in case you are wondering, no, I did not stage this. I didn’t have to. Bella was just being Bella and my camera goes everywhere with me. She has done this a couple of times and I haven’t caught her in the act. Each time she did it I was convinced after strict scoldings that it would be her last. I was wrong. She doesn’t chew them, just carries them around. I think because their flags are sticking up and they are not rooted yet they are easy targets. Problem is, my nice little map (see above heirloom iris link) of which iris was planted where is of no use anymore. I think I need a fence.

Did I mention she starts obedience class tonight? She’s a naughty girl.

Wow, she’s so big and mature looking! She has really grown.

As for the iris ... well ... she’s an excellent hunter of roots.

Yes Reya, they grow up too fast. Where is that little puppy? She weighs 71 pounds now! Yes, what can we say about her penchant for roots? Maybe she would make a good truffle dog??

The thing about iris?  There are more where those came from!

Becky you are too kind! And here I was thinking you would never trust me with your iris again! Bless you!

Our irises are still hiding, but we do have two daffodils in full bloom.  I have to restrain myself from planting more lest we have another surprise snowstorm. 

“Helping” is the garden is one of very few things my dogs show no interest in.  I can’t credit obedience class with that one as we’ve failed obedience…several times

I could not stop laughing at your garden help.  Miss Bella is quite the funny girl.  I have never had my boys ever help garden, knit, dig, I must have very borning Berner Boys!  They really don’t get into ANY trouble.  They just want to sit by me and get loving.  She is so big now….It amazes me how fast she grew up.  She is very pretty and a little devil in her!
Have a great weekend.
Jackie

This post is toooo funny!  Thanks for visiting my blog.  I am so glad I came to visit and see your Bella making friends with the iris!  One trick I use to keep iris in the ground is to take a wire hanger and cut off the hook and twisted part and then cut the rest in two equal pieces.  Then take one of the halves and stick it in the ground over the iris like a wicket, but push it all the way in and it will keep the iris from heaving.  It will also deter less determined four footed friends!