So it is true. My worst fears have been confirmed. I am going to be abandoned once again, while Gail flies off to the USA to stay with her friend Marse and, you've guessed it, do yet more cycling.
Last night she showed me the map of where Marse lives. It is a city called Tacoma, in Washington State.
Well, while Gail was at work, I snuck onto the internet and did some research on Tacoma. And you know what? I have decided I am quite happy to be staying at home.
It seems that Tacoma is not a good place to be a dog. Let me explain why I have come to this conclusion.
As (apparently) any engineering student knows, there was a famous disaster in Tacoma in 1940, when a suspension bridge across the Narrows collapsed in a most spectacular manner. You can watch it on YouTube. Fast forward to 2 minutes if you just want to see the break up.
What they don't tell you in this video is that the man who abandoned his car on the bridge, and walked to safety just moments before the structure was ripped apart by the high winds, LEFT HIS OWN DAUGHTER'S DOG INSIDE THE VEHICLE...
Yes, this misfortunate pup, a three legged and part-paralysed spaniel called Tubby, was still in the car as it plunged nearly two hundred feet into the water below. Tubby was the only victim of the disaster. His body was never recovered.
Really, how hard would it have been for the car owner to carry poor Tubby off the bridge too? After all, the man looks quite astonishingly relaxed in the video as he strolls along the rollicking roadway doesn't he?
So now you understand why I'm not petitioning for a passport this time.
PS from Gail: this blog will be quiet for while I am away and Bertie is at 'camp'. Normal service will resume in 2-3 weeks.
Hey! Guess who's back?
ReplyDeleteJust read your post! Any chance you are going to have a layover in Denver??????? Oh I'd love to see you again! (You are ALWAYS welcome for a add-on visit here. PLEASE???)
DeletePoor Tubby. I'll hope Gail doesn't decide to go bikin over any suspishus lookin bridges.
ReplyDeleteHe left da dog in da car? Whut da woof? Hope his daughter disowned him fur doin' dat!! Poor Tubby...
ReplyDeleteTell Gail to stay away from shaky bridges and volcanoes up dere in da Great Northwet.
Bertie - Wow ! That's scary. You're better off at home .
ReplyDeleteUnforgivable! The man should be ashamed of himself.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip Gail and happy holidays/incarceration to Bertie.
OMD! SHE's seen that footage several times BUT didn't know about the dog!.....that's horrible! We think you may be safer at home, as well. Though we're sure Gail would NEVER do that to you.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteBertie lad, that is just the most devastating discovery - Hope you have fun at 'camp'.... and that Gail won't be crossing any bridges... Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Wow, you stay at home and be safe Bertie, all that bridge wobbling is making me queasy!
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
PeeS Hopes you haf a great time Gail (but don't tell Bertie I said that!)
Gail...have a wonderful time - that area is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBertie, relax and enjoy camp.
Stay safe
OH MY BERTIE GAIL IS GOING A VERY VERY LONG WAY ACROSS THE POND ACROSS THE USofA all the way to the left coast!.. I think staying home is BEST you would not like that long flight.
ReplyDeleteTell Gail we send her a ton of good travel wishes and to have fun!! Take a lot of photos.
Bertie have fun at camp!!
hugs madi your bfff
Poor Tubby left in the car!! Evil man!!
ReplyDeleteWell that was a depressing way to start our day - reading about poor Tubby - what kind of mean old man would leave the poor doggie like that. We do think however you had best start working on your list of things for gail to bring back for you - making her feel guilty about leaving you will increase you odds and getting quite the haul :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad that this man left Tubby in the car... that's scary and horrible... I wish your Gail a good time and I hope you have a good time at the camp too. Don't furget to write your wishlist Bertie, maybe your Gail can grab some of that delicious blue dental sticks :o)
ReplyDeleteAgain! You better report her to the authorities
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
OMD!! I hope that horrible man's daughter never SPOKE to him again. I'm sure there are dog lovers in Tacoma... but I don't really blame you for not wanting to risk it!
ReplyDeleteMom and dad would never leave us. We would go down together! Tell your mom to have fun. She will be north and west of us. We hope you have fun in camp!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
We just know your Mama is going to have a blast!! We live a few hundred miles south..but we know Washington is a beautiful state!!
ReplyDeleteOn the upside...Party at your place while your Mama is gone??? BOL!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
These humans and their 'holidays'! It is just a pity you need help with blog………! Poor Tubby!!! What sort of human would leave a poor dog in the car and save themselves? I have been spurned on by Two Special Wires Blog to visit some of my old blogging buddies. Much love
ReplyDeleteAuntie Martha xx
PS my human wants to wish yours a Happy Holiday xxx
ReplyDeleteHowdy Bertie. He left his daughter's dog in the car??? Wonder if she ever forgave him. We had an idea that your mum could come to Oz and do some cycling when the Tour Down Under comes in January. It's always right past our front door so you could come and stay with us too!! Just don't let your mum do a Johnny Depp and sneak you into Oz cause we do have strict quarantine laws. Take care mates. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteDON'T ENCOURAGE HER !!!
DeleteSafe travels, Gail and Bertie!
ReplyDeleteA few years ago Lee was offered a transfer to Edmonds Washington. Darn if she would have taken the transfer she could have met Gail. We hope Gail enjoys her cycling around and does not hit any potholes. Keep your spirits up Bertie this to shall pass.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a friend
Sweet William The Scot
Poor Tubby! Plenty of time to have saved him I think!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the cycling Gail, bring some nice weather back with you!
The guy in the video TRIED to save Tubby. The evil owner was a reporter (typical) who's the real villain. Shout out to Professor Farquharson.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.invisiblethemepark.com/2010/07/iron-balls-of-yestermen-f-bert-farquharson-at-the-tacoma-narrows-bridge-1940/