Ask a Terrier: Not a Black Hole Lot of Excitement for Dogs
Dear Budleigh,
I’m filled with awe and wonder that scientists have captured the first images ever of a supermassive black hole. Some describe it as the Eye of Sauron, others as a glowing one-way portal to eternity. Looks like my right eye in junior high after I took a line drive to the face.
Still, awe and wonder!
As the darkest entities in the universe, black holes are impossible to see, say astronomers. I totally understand their mathematical reasoning: An intense gravitational field that…something, something. Einstein’s theory…something, something…time and space. Really, really big…something, something…Star Trek.
Despite my excitement, Anka, my Shar Pei, shows no interest in black holes. I’m sure that she understands as I’ve explained their importance. (“Anka! Outer space…something, something…cookies!”) But she just rests her head on my knees and seems bored. Well, not about the cookies.
How can I ignite her scientific curiosity since I’m running low on dog treats?
Sincerely, Miriam and Anka, science geek and disinterested dog, Atlanta, GA
Dear Miriam and Anka,
Which ones are Shar Peis? With the wrinkly faces, right? Maybe Anka’s excited but you can’t tell.
More likely, black holes bore her. They bore me and most dogs. Probably because we see them everywhere all the time.
That’s going to annoy Science. But Science is always vexed about something. Look how Giant Scientists scribble on their chalkboards. So angry!
Black holes just aren’t that mysterious. OK, they’re a little mysterious. Like the washing machine. Also a bit scary. Like the washing machine’s dark, front-loading companion. That thing gives me the willies!
Brisby, my co-dog, eats like that. His food and mine. And everything three feet above ground and lower. Yet nobody scribbles angrily on a chalkboard about him.
While like Anka, I don’t share your excitement, Miriam, I can tolerate it. These photographs confirm the theories of your Giant Einstein who apparently was smart as a Border Collie, although poor at herding. Still, the data gathered by more than 200 researchers and eight telescopes worldwide was significant enough for six simultaneous international news conferences carried on multiple television networks. Although not on Animal Planet.
So…kudos, I suppose.
Just don’t expect canine enthusiasm over news of a fuzzy, glowing, orange doughnut with a dark chocolate center. That’s not going to excite dogs. Except Brisby. He’s so hungry.
Budleigh
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Read more Ask a Terrier columns…
Okay, on the surface, I see your logic with the four leg-distance equation, but are there dog-light-years and then would you first divide the distance by two and then multiply by seven, except, of course, for February, which has four and twenty-four and leap year gives it one day more?
Budleigh says:
“Forty-six!”
I missed this news story. Apparently I’ve been watching too much Animal Planet. The washing machine’s dark, front loading companion also gives me the willies! I avoid it as much as possible. What I don’t avoid are orange glowing donuts with chocolate centers. Yum!
And good news: You CAN eat just one, Molly, before being sucked down into an unfathomably hellish pit of eternal darkness. Oh, and they’re gluten free! Thanks for reading! dj
1,2 + 1,2 = 4 per the black hole of Budleigh arithmetic. Einstein.
Budleigh says:
Um…you might want to major in liberal arts. Just a thought…
Hey Budleigh, I didn’t realize how well informed u are, especially in science.😱 What dog-training school offers these courses? Mine only had heeling, sitting, and down. Your friend, Schnapps
Budleigh says:
I enrolled in an online college, but dropped out because I couldn’t smell anyone’s behind. Very distracting.