Friday 10 February 2012

A tendency to topple


I do resent being laughed at for something that is not my fault. Wouldn't you?

Lately, what with rain one minute and sub-zero temperatures the next, the path through the park has been covered in a slippery sheet of ice. 

So slippery, that when I try to turn corners at speed, I sometimes lose my pawing (that is 'dog' for footing isn't it?) and I topple over on my side.

For some reason Gail finds this hysterically funny. And rather than coming over to give me a cuddle and nurse my bruised body and ego, she just stands there giggling and saying, "Oh Bertie, you do crack me up, Hamish never used to fall over like that, it really does look comical, you need to learn to take more care, people will think you're tipsy, chortle chortle...."

I think it is time for a physics lesson.

A body is liable to topple over if the vertical line between the body's centre of gravity and the ground lies outside of the area of that body's contact with the ground. 

So you see that my predecessor Hamish the Westie, with his short legs and broad chest, was a highly stable configuration, even when his body was tilted to one side, as happens when one takes a sudden left or right.



Whereas I, with my long legs in relation to my narrow frame, am somewhat liable to topple. 
And it's got absolutely nothing to do with me being careless and reckless and not looking where I'm going. 

So there. 

PS Don't forget to vote for me in the Mango Minster Adventure Animals category on Monday!

20 comments:

  1. Poor Bertie . 'Pay attention '. ' Be careful '. Standard phrases in the snow bound dog owners lexicon.

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  2. I cant believe she laughed at you Bertie!! Addy has that same problem and she is slipping round here all the time. I actually think she is part bunny too!!

    Wags
    Jazzi and Addy

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  3. Same principle applies when figure skaters do their jumps. If they tilt off the vertical axis as they jump and twist, they fall. While it's not nice of Gail to laugh at you, maybe you should slow down a tad, lest you sprain something. Hope it warms up for you soon.

    Jed & Abby

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  4. You think you've got problems mate... try having my gangly legs! Deccy x

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  5. Brilliant succinct explanation! Top marks!

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  6. Bertie,

    If Gail ever falls over you will know exactly what to say to her!

    Woofs,
    Riley

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  7. The theory seems sound. We roll (and get laughed at) when we play.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  8. Aw, you are such a good physics teacher. Sorry about your sudden toppling! :) Hope everything thaws out real soon!

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  9. Poor Bertie Hamish is certainly a stable looking guy. I also love your physics lesson. You ought to look into a career as a professor

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  10. Well, Bertie, as you know, I have long known that terriers have springs instead of normal leggies which makes you bouncy but also renders you a bit unstable.

    Luckily, your upper selves are made of rubber and your heads are lined with stone, so no harm done, right?

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  11. HOW RUDE of "HER" to Laff at YOU. Keep your eye on "Her", she is bound to slip and fall.. sometime.. and then ..
    You Know what they say.. PAWBacks are a Squirrel.

    PeeS... Just so you know.. those of us who are Vertically Challenged.. and extremely Furry... get knocked on our tails..by Fast Strong Wind. Butt MY (Frankie Furter) MOM would NEVER EVER laff at me when I get Knocked down by the wind. I'm just sayin.

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  12. Well Bertie, we cant seem to sign in as ourselves on your blog today!
    We did like your scientific explanation re balance. Of course that explains why we never have any problems whatsoever, and indeed cannot ever remember falling over...!
    One thing though dear, it really doesn't pay to think too much when you are a dog.......leave that to Gail!
    As you can see it is a waste of time when she cannot do dog things.
    As for laughing at you well that is no bad thing - amusing one's owner really is all in a dog's daily work.
    Of course we will vote for you in Mango Minster - we will have to go visit and see all the entries.
    Much love
    Aunties
    Martha & Bailey xxx
    ps if only your father had been a westie or a basset.......!

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  13. Here is the deal, Bertie. As an experienced snow/ice walker I tell you, you must look down to see what you are walking on. If its ice, its treacherous and you might want to look for snow to walk on which is easier but often has ice underneath it so again, be careful.

    You know what we call people here who do not look at where they are walking??? Hospital patients, with broken hips, legs, ankles, or even elbows and arms if you fall that way. Just go pee in your garden until it warms up!

    Cheers,
    STella

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  14. Bertie you just need a pair of wellies that grip the ground better.
    Sweet William The Scot

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  15. We know nothing about snow, and cannot offer one word of advice. HOWEVER, we tagged you today on our blog. Purely optional, of course!

    -Bart and Ruby

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  16. I also have been known to topple on screaming round corners here on my tiled floors! My mum winces when she hears the "whhuummppp" sound I make! It's a bit mean for Gail to laugh!

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie

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  17. Bertie-
    Thank you for that physics lesson. Do these rules apply for running into doors and walls while looking the other way?....just wondering

    Wyatt

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  18. Bertie..at least Gail only laughed and didn't take an action shot for your blog!
    Have a great weekend try and stay upright but on the ice we have right now its extremely difficult.
    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  19. Toppling is one thing. Tippling is another. Have you ever seen Gail tipple? If so, you might make a special drawing just for her.

    Wirey love,

    Jake and Just Harry

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  20. So if foxy wires are Square Dogs, what was Hamish considered? Rectangular???

    I am far squarer than Scruffy...with his deformed long leggies he is far too tall to be attractive, but that's just my opinion....

    What's really funny here is when the snow/ice supports Scruffy's and my light weight and Stan goes UUMPH right through...

    Poor Dales...he's pretty square, but built like a Mack truck.

    Miss Teacakes....XXOO

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