Welcome to "Man with two dogs" - the family website for dog owners and dog walkers.

WHITE BLACKBIRDS appear in the news from time to time because they are so uncommon. True albino blackbirds do occur I understand, but a piebald bird has appeared in the garden.

I KILLED a yellowhammer. Not intentionally, but it flew out from behind a hedge right in front of the car, and there was nothing I could do. I saw it in the rear mirror fluttering on the road and reversed back. Its mate was flickering round about it, not understanding what had happened, and flew off as the car approached. They used to be such common birds, so I was sorry to be the cause of its death. “A-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese” is the traditional portrayal of its song, and there's a Scottish version – “deil-deil-deil-tak-ye”.

TATTIE ROGUEING is in full swing. This odd sounding activity is essential to ensure that potato crops which are being grown for next season's seed are disease free, and also free of “rogue” or unwanted varieties from the intended crop. Any crop, which is to be sold as seed, must be pure throughout, and free of any adulteration.

I'M DRINKING a glass of the first of the Doyenne's delicious homemade elderflower cordial. This is living off Nature's bounty. It's this year's first free offering from the countryside, and we have it on our doorstep.