Tuesday 23 September 2014

Bad hair cut or interesting experiment?

Thank you so much again, all my dear and lovely friends, for your kind comments following last weekend's incident. Gail and I feel quite overwhelmed, and apologise that we have not had time to reply to each one individually.

I am pleased to report that I, Bertie, am on the mend. In fact I am starting to find this 'only short walks and always on the lead' regime quite irksome.

Earlier this evening I went for a quick check up and saw a different vet. She was happy with my progress, and said my notes from the weekend contained a 'graphic and gruesome' account of the state of my insides…

However, today I want to discuss the state of my outside.

It won't have escaped the notice of anyone who read my last post that I now have an interesting haircut.

Oh, you didn't notice? Here is a reminder.


As you can see, half the shaved furs around my wound were white ones and the other half were black.

Until Sunday these furs had never once been cut, only stripped. People often comment - favourably, I believe - on my distinctive black markings. WFT aficionados will tell you that cutting or shaving furs results in the black fading to a paler grey colour. But is this true?

Well now, consider this. We have perfect conditions for a fascinating scientific experiment, don't we just?

Oh won't it be exciting to watch what happens to the shaven patch as the furs grow back! What? Gail is saying "exciting like watching paint dry Bertie?" I think that is supposed to be a joke.

I am going to insist on Gail taking a photo of the patch, plus the surrounding never-shaved furs, at fortnightly intervals between now and the end of the year. I  shall publish the results of this ground-breaking research, together with the sort of rigorous analysis you have come to expect from Blogville's Chief Scientific Advisor, shortly afterwards.

I bet you can't wait.

PS Talking of colours, Gail's bruised arm is looking ever more, well, colourful…

PPS  Our Scottie friends might like this cartoon. Click here.

41 comments:

  1. Getting caught up on your posts....Wow, that dog really did a number on you! That must really hurt! I hope it all heals quickly!

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  2. WE are so glad you are feeling better, and able to go for short walks, and that moms arm is better. It will be interesting about your fur.
    stella rose

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  3. Oh Bertie - you are a true professional - we shall enjoy seeing the regrowth of the curly fur - maybe it will grow back straight instead of curly and you can write a whole paper about it :)

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  4. Hari OM
    Good scientific thinking there Bertie and glad to see you thinking in these terms, rather than moping. I would drop in the idea that a one off may not be sufficient to prove the case... but would you be willing to repeat the experiment? Still, an interesting project nonetheless.

    On another matter - the answer in one word is 'no'. A fuller response in situ. Consistency is everything! Blessings for continued and speedy healing dear lad. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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    Replies
    1. ...oh crikey, meno moment... that was YES ... yes I would... as in NO there is little change in interest....tsk... long past bedtime for aunty....

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  5. Oh Bertie. For the first time we see the extent of the wound. You are a brave chap. Wisdom comes with the years. In fact you're now promoted to the highest canine accolade of all - a family fellow .

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  6. Bertie, I had an interesting haircut after the dog next door and I got into a bit of a tussle. When my furs grew back in, there are two lengths: short and very short. You can't see it, butt those who pet me notice right away. Furs are very interesting things!

    -Bart

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  7. I'm so glad the vet was pleased with how you are, that's super news! I'm especially pleased that this incident hasn't made you lose your curious boffin brain! Hmm, this will be interesting to see...
    Well, Gail's arm probably looks very colourful, and I'm sure it will feel almost as colourfully painful when prodded!
    Pippa :)

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  8. Bertie we are so happy you are on the mend. We were so worried. We will continue to send you hugs and good vibes
    Snorts
    Lily & Edward

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  9. Well...we for one will be quite interested to see the fur colors. Now just don't over do them walkies.....don't need no complications to take place.

    The Mad Scots
    Pees: thanks for the cartoon, bites just nodded his head and grinned!

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  10. So glad you are feeling so much better Berie!! We can't wait to see the results of your "fur-study"!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  11. Pawsome experiment from our favourite boffin. So glad both you and Gail are on the mend. Hope you manage to put up with the leash walks. Try dragging mum around for some extra fun. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  12. so glad that you are on the mend, Bertie! We are looking forward to the results of your experiment. We do wish you could have conducted it without the gruesome and gory insides, though...it would have save you some trauma...

    Edgar and his mum

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  13. Glad to see you feeling better. We hope your furs stay the same but no matter what you will look distinguished.
    Retro Rover
    PS-That info about the washing up badge for girl scouts is too much both hilarious and sort of heart breaking. It reminds me of this clip
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibUsglYe4r0
    the home economics story via MST3K on you tube.

    Thankfully by the time I was a girl scout in the 80s it was very much going in the direction of the cub scouts. I didn't stay long my interest was mostly in getting the pet care and animal lover badges once I got those I was done

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  14. Dear Bertie,

    I am so pleased to read that you are on the mend and thinking of this as a scientific experiment, as my mum, Enzo and I have been very worried about you and Gail. Looking at your latest photo, I see that your wound so neatly bisects the border between the black and white parts of you (is that to monitor which side grows faster?) but after earlier events last week, you should know your furs really are “better together”.

    If only Gail had collected your furs (mentioned in one of your previous posts about brushing you) she could have made you a two colour toupee, or got her friend to knit you a WFT vest to keep you warm during the Scottish winter while your own furs grow! My mum says I shed lots - I would gladly send you a huge bag of my furs to patch yourself up with and but she says that I am wrong to think “gold is the new black & white”. She says the only gold you need to wear is a little gold medal on your collar to remind you how precious you are to Gail and all of us in Blogville.

    Love and woofs,
    Riley

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  15. We are SO glad that you are feeling better and that Miss Gail is even MORE Colorful than usual.
    Now this is what WE think... you took the LEMONS and turned them into a very much exciting and INTERESTING scientific observational Lemonade.
    PeeS.... when I had to have the ULTRASOUND of my Spleen in June... My Tummy furs had to be SHAVED... and they have FINALLY come back exactly the Same as before... so maybe Dachshunds are not effected...

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  16. Howdy Bertie. Wowza and yaahoo. Glad your Gail took photos of your wounds cause once your hair grows back you'll be able to show the girlies. I've been told girlies love scars and stuffs. You know, makes us men more interesting. Aw, Stella, nick off will ya, I'm talking to Bertie here about men's stuff. Anyhoo, get well soon mate and slobbers to your mum too. No worries, and slobber, Rory and Stella
    P.s. Bertie, it's me Stella. I hope your hair grows back just as lovely as before and you get longer walks soon.

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  17. Typical, Bertie. Turning it into a scientific experiment...but, we're interested. You'll be able to finally settle the clipped vs stripped question.

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  18. I'm doin' the hap-pee dance over here because you're recovering so well! And, yes, I'm very interested in your experiment. I'm turning gray and I didn't even get a haircut... :(

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  19. Your suffering will be a benefit to science. Still looks terrible so heal quickly (both of you)!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley
    Join us for our "Mystery Kiss" episodes on Sept. 23, 25, 27, 29, 30 and Oct 1!

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  20. OH no. I feel horrible!!! I hope you are on the mend and back at it in no time. As for your paw-rent, she's not mad, you weren't meaning to bite her.

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  21. Praying that the wound heals quickly and that you are not in pain

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  22. Glad that you are doing better Bertie. I have been so worried bout you!! Keep resting ok?

    wags
    Addi

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  23. Hiya Bertie, OMD - we have only just heard about this horribles thing that happened. Mum was beside herself reading the account .... and wow how horrible must that other doggie's peep now feels huh??!! It's true - these attacks can come out of the blue - even Scarlet got bitten on the side by a LITTLE terrier in a small dog park - a park where we have always felt safe and secure - unpredictable!! Anyway - we hope both of you have a speedy recovery and send all our love!!

    Rubie and her mum xxx

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  24. We've been so worried about you both. So glad to read you are doing better. What an ordeal. Keep healing and being gentle on your sweet selves.

    Love,
    Tootsie & Family

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  25. Bertie, I missed some posts while the peeps were travelling. Wow, that looks a mighty wound you have there but I'm glad to hear that both you and Gail are feeling better.
    Sending you both lots of loves and licky kisses to make you well again
    Princess Leah xxx

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  26. Most interesting experiment. We can tell you from personal experience that sometimes the hair comes back in a different color than it left (Gus has more ginger than he did before his lumpectomy) but it will be interesting to see what happens with Bertie, who has "virgin" hair.
    Hope Gail's arm is better.

    gus

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  27. OMD! We missed this. Oh Bertie what a trauma for you. Oh we do hope you are not feeling too sore now and Gail's arm is OK. Oh dear what a terrible thing to have happened. We send hugs and Terrier zen up to Scotland to help fasten your recovery.

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  28. Bertie my dear friend...I cannot tell you how very happy we are to hear you are feeling a tad more bouncing each day.

    Experiments are wonderful. Now we are wondering if the shaved furs will return twice and wavy and curly than they were. If your black furs come back grayish you will no longer be a tricolor WFT you will be a Quad color WFT.

    Mom told me when my human sis bruises turned yellow she called them banana bruises.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  29. You must be feeling better if you are back into your scientific mode. We look forward to seeing the results of this experiement which will be of particular interest to us wire-haired guys who are subject to stripping and plucking in the name of color preservation. You and Gail are in our thoughts, Bertie!

    Just Harry

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  30. Glad that you got good news from the vet and that it heals well. I'm sure after some weeks your fur looks as good as new. Send you and your Gail a big hug with Weimaraner-Power for a speedy recovery.

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  31. If you're up to scientific experiments, then you're definitely on the mend! Good news. I, for one, will be looking forward to your experiment progress reports.

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  32. Whoa. It just makes us hurt for you everytime we see that picture!!! Glad you and Gail are both feeling better. Looking forward to the results of your experiment!!

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  33. Oh dear! We have been so neglectful of our blogging, we have just read your previous posts. We hope you and Gail are doing much better, and you are back to normal soon! Can't wait to see/hear the results of your fur color research.

    Waggies,
    Braeden and Seth

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  34. Buddy. We just want you to heal. Fast. Completely. Even if the new furs come in purple. We want you back in full commission. And we'll keep checking until we realize you are!

    xx

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  35. Oh you poor thing. So glad you are on the mend though and some color on Gail, eek! Hope this is all behind you very soon.

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  36. I's heard cuttin' yer furs on a WFT mutes da colors, like ya sez... but that if ya start strippin' 'em agin, den dey comes back all strong...

    So unless Gail is gonna quit strippin' dat part of yer furs fur good, I thinks ya will look yer usual handsum self once yer furs grows all back...

    And Bertie, just seein' dat photo of that ghastly gash in da side of my furiend makes me want to come ovfur to Scotland and bite dat re-tree-ver on da heine--HARD!!!

    Hugs to ya, lil buddy... and watch out fur dose big dogs!

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  37. Dat wound just looks so painful Bertie. Hopin ya heals up real quick and dat da haircut don't effect your furs too much.

    My furs have never been cut either, my momma strips me. When I had to get shaved from some surgery, at first da furs grew back soft, but den dey became dem wiry selves. So hopefully your furs will go back to bein like they used to.

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  38. Dearest Gail
    I've only just heard of your traumatic incident. I just want you to know that I am thinking of you. I remember a time when our angel Toffee was involved in a similar incident. Take heart - terriers have an amazing ability to bounce back...and your Bertie is a 'bouncer back' for sure. Just wanted you to know I care.
    Sending lotsaluv. I will be following up to see how you guys are doing.
    Lots of love

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  39. Bertie and Gail. So very glad that you are both healing well. Bertie you are beatiful! If you become even more colorful, even better :) It will just enhance your pretty coloring!
    Marty

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  40. Having just started hand stripping Fuzzy in the last month (after 14 years of clipping), I will be very excited to see the results of your research study, Bertie. Although things are going swimmingly, we still have a lot of old hair to work our way through. Be sure to note any change in texture as the clipped hair can be very soft. I wonder if Fuzzy's color will darken before the coat gets hard.

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