We had a big rainstorm roll in this past weekend, and as is often the case, the wind arrived before the rain. I was walking back from closing the windows in the cat house when I saw Bailey, our Doxie with the bad back, looking like he was about to go airborne. I went to my office to get the camera.
Bailey was sitting facing directly into the wind, which was coming from the southwest. He was perched between the corners of two animal cottages, which magnified the wind and turned his spot into a bit of a wind tunnel. I realized watching his ears go up and down with the varying wind speeds that this Dachshund could be a perfect wind meter, so I kept shooting photos. For instance, his ears at this angle represent a wind speed of about 5 miles per hour.
In this one, the wind is really picking up, and now we're probably at 10 mph. Bailey has to be careful because if we have a wind vortex come through sideways at this speed, it could set his ears to spinning and he could go straight up like a small helicopter. I liked this shot the most, so that's why I used it as the lead photo at the top of the post.
And at this point the wind is howling. Here Bailey is at max wind speed, now about 15 mph. There's a certain resemblance to a slant-wing jet aircraft, say an F-14 Tomcat, preparing to take off. I'm not sure what would happen to those ears above 15 mph, since I didn't stick around long enough to find out. The rain was starting to move in so I scooped up Bailey to bring him inside. But I imagine at 20 mph the ears are going to go straight back and wrap around his little head, with the ear tips touching. I'll guess we'll have to wait till the next storm to test our ear-o-meter at higher speeds.
(Click on photos for larger image.)
Terrific Doxie photos -- keep up the good work!
Michelle
http://ultimatedachshund.com
Posted by: MichelleArthur | November 25, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Hi LOVE Bailey!!!!!
Rolling Dog Ranch rules! You guys do wonderful WONDERFUL things for our fuzzy and furry friends. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Penny | October 19, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Hi Bailey is a cutie!!! Super wind tester. Rent him to the Air Force for their flight line duties. I miss my old doxie. Sam could fly with the wind playing on the California Seal Rock Beach. Their ears are so funny, but they tell the souls of Dachsunds. Thank you so very much for the pictures and stories of all the animals. They really help us. I do old dog and feral cat rescues and when I need a pick-me-up picture or story, I get a email from you guys and it helps set the world upright again. Thank you from all of my herd.
The Cat
Posted by: Cat Warren | October 14, 2007 at 11:48 AM
You are doing such wonderful work. My day is brightened everytime I receive your newsletter.
Bailey has such a beautiful wing span and face to match.
Rachel
PS: to all visiting this page, I use goodsearch.com for my searches and each time I click around, a penny is being donated to the Rolling Dog Ranch. I hope that all of your members will do the same.
Posted by: Rachel | October 12, 2007 at 01:55 PM
I just love your site and newsletters. It is so heartwarming to read stories like Bailey's, he is as cute as can be. Thanks so much for bringing laughter to so many of us, and for doing what your'e doing for the animals. God Bless all of you, and hugs and kisses to Baily and all the animals.
Posted by: Lona | October 11, 2007 at 10:33 PM
My husband volunteers five days a week at the Burbank German Shepherd rescue (Los Angeles, CA)
and I wish he had as many heart warming, stories to share. Thank you for always bringing a smile to our faces and reminding us there can be joy in even the saddest of situtaions.
Posted by: Maryam Faresh | October 11, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Those photos are great! They would make an even better video-we all could watch Bailey's ears flappin' in the wind!
Thanks,Steve
Posted by: DennisYork | October 11, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Great photos...had chuckles over Bailey's wind experience. Tell her she can come fly in our yard any time as Central Oregon is notorious for wind!!! Hugs to all for your great work!!
Posted by: Karen | October 11, 2007 at 06:03 PM
My frosty-faced Penny does the same thing...actually, all three of my doxies do it! Oh, if only every animal could feel the joy that Bailey was feeling at that moment.
You guys are THE BEST!
Posted by: Adrienne, Pennsylvania | October 11, 2007 at 03:28 PM
His ears are like the flaps on an airplane - he was ready for takeoff! So cute - thanks for sharing with us!
Posted by: Indy the Puppy | October 11, 2007 at 03:15 PM
Thank you for the laughter. Those are priceless.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 11, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Congratulations! It is so heart-warming to view your site. We help the Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary here in Australia, and just wish for them that they could have more support, especially with the recent floods which damaged so much essential fencing etc. They are now in lockdown in hope of preventing EI which has caused so much havoc here.
Posted by: sally garrett | October 07, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Priceless!
Posted by: kara | September 27, 2007 at 11:18 AM
These are the best pictures ever!!!
Posted by: Nicci | September 27, 2007 at 12:56 AM
If you let your imagination go a little bit further, you might even see that his feet are just slightly off the ground.
Posted by: Janet | September 26, 2007 at 05:17 PM
LOL!!!!!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | September 26, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Thos are the cutest pics of Bailey - what a BIG smile they gave me!!!
Posted by: Patty | September 25, 2007 at 08:42 PM
The ear-o-meter is off the charts of the cute-o-meter, too!
Posted by: Heidi & the kitties | September 25, 2007 at 08:17 PM
Excellent!!!
Posted by: Nicole | September 25, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Animals are so resourceful. Since Bailey has difficulty walking, maybe he's just decided to fly!
Posted by: Helen Rietz | September 25, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Bailey looks like he is saying; Just cuz I can't walk very well doesn't mean I want to learn how to fly!!! Get me out of here! Great post Steve.
Posted by: Laura | September 25, 2007 at 11:08 AM
What a great thing to see first thing in the morning! I laughed out loud! We always laugh at one of our doxies, she looks like the flying nun all the time with her ears flying like that too. Thanks for the laugh!
Posted by: Benita | September 25, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Hilarious!
Posted by: Clay Hickman | September 25, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Bailey has a job!!!! RDR wind meter. Good boy The pictures are delightful, although Bailey does not look too pleased with his new job( those eyes are saying "pick me up, darn it, and let us go inside") Doxies are something else!! Wonderful Take care
Posted by: Judy and Joe Taylor | September 25, 2007 at 09:54 AM
HA HA HA! Thanks for the laugh this morning, Airborne Bailey! Hope you don't fly off to Oz one of these days!
Posted by: Katy | September 25, 2007 at 09:44 AM
I think Bailey is going to take off the next time! I'll be looking up at the sky.:)
Posted by: Abby Creek Art | September 25, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Bailey is just too funny!
I love his ear-o-meter talent!
Great post today, I'm rendered in complete laughter.
Posted by: Boundforglory | September 25, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Is this to cute-I love it. You should send the pictures to the National Weather Service for a good description of wind speeds on their web site.
Posted by: Jennie | September 25, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Cutest thing I've ever seen!Bailey looks as though he is thoroughly enjoying the wind-blown ears as he poses for the camera!Made my day!
Posted by: Mary Young | September 25, 2007 at 08:03 AM
I look forward to reading your blogs and this one made my day. I take my hat off to you and your wife for doing something only I could wish to do. Keep these great stories coming. LOVE HIS EARS.
Posted by: Lynn | September 25, 2007 at 05:29 AM
Wow, your very own Doxie windsock! Too cute! I also like the first photo the best :)
Posted by: Kristen D. | September 24, 2007 at 11:38 PM
hahahahahahahaha. that's terrific. :)
Posted by: m | September 24, 2007 at 10:58 PM
hahaha!! Bailey! ur such a laugh! those pictures are fantastic! ur such a cute wind meter! those pics and story really made my day!:-D hugs to all at RDR!
Gile x
Posted by: GiLe | September 24, 2007 at 10:08 PM