Sunday, January 26, 2014

The Tale of a Doodle Trebuchet and a Test Doodle

Okay, very little of this post has to do with the Doodle Trebuchet, but Mom was at a loss for a title.   And it caught your attention, didn't it?

First, as you may know, there have been some issues getting the Doodle Launcher 'calibrated' as of late.

This launch may have been Test Dummy error.  Or Frisbee Thrower error.  Or something.

Not being a fan of 'big air', I can assure you that all is not well with the Doodle Launcher.

Yep, Doodle Launcher still a little "off".

Too much vertical.

Definitely not enough vertical.

Anyway, you get the point.  The Doodle Launcher needed to be attended to by our resident engineer (who, inexplicably, keeps muttering "Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor not an engineer" - which makes me think our resident Doodle Launcher calibrator may be losing her marbles, as there is no one named 'Jim' in this house...).  While Mom was working on calibrating the Doodle Launcher, she thought a Doodle Trebuchet might solve Abby's Need For Big Air.

Since Mom once watched a show on PBS about building your own trebuchet, she felt certain she was up to the task (despite not being an engineer; apparently being a former medieval historian makes her qualified to build siege weapons...).   Abby the Test Dummy, er, Test Pilot donned absolutely no safety gear and tested out the Doodle Trebuchet.

Yeah, so that worked out well, huh?

While Mom was rather thrilled with the initial results of the Doodle Trebuchet, she was a tad concerned Abby might end up in the living room of the neighbors down the hill and across the street (not that Abby would have minded - she seemed to LOVE being flung through the air).  So, Mom is going to watch more PBS to 'refine' the Doodle Trebuchet, and in the mean time, has slapped more duct tape on the Doodle Launcher...

Still too much vertical, but at least Abby isn't in the next county.

Either Abby really IS that long, or somehow the Doodle Launcher has the ability to manipulate the space-time continuum.

It looks like the Doodle Launcher was set on 'low' here.


Wow!  It looks like the duct tape is working!

I even braved the Doodle Launcher, after ascertaining that it really WAS set to 'low amplitude'.

Mom was a little worried that the duct tape might give out, so we just amused ourselves with some old-fashioned frisbee chasing.  Abby, of course, had to add facial expressions.

"Gotcha!"

Hmmm.  I seem to have employed the 'Zombie Catch' maneuver this time.

Nice ear flappage, Abs!

Is it me, or is Abby trying to scare the frisbee into her mouth?

"Ahhh!  It's Dogzilla!  Now that Mothra has met its doom, there is No Hope for Tokyo!"

More manipulation of the space-time continuum.  Or Abby is made of rubber.  Which would explain a lot.

Heehee.  I can't let Abby be the only Dogzilla in the yard!

Biggify this picture.  Go on.  I dare you.  Talk about Jaws of Doom!

Bad hair day or refined frisbee technique?  You be the judge.

I've got ear flappage, too!

"Mom, I brought this frisbee back just for you.  You know, so you'll throw it again!"

Abby the Frisbee Hound.

Clearly she is rehearsing for Doodle Lake and not paying too much attention to the frisbee.

Frisbee zoomies!

My sister the flying Goofadoodle.
Me?  While I enjoy frisbee almost as much as my sister, for some reason, Mom has a lot of pictures of my back...

Thanks, Mom.  If I kick you in the head at 3am while I'm getting into a more comfortable sleeping position, don't take it personally!  Just kidding, Mom!

However, unlike my sister, I love posing for portraits.

Yes, I really am strikingly pretty.

My serious look.
Of course, I have been known to get a tad distracted.

Such as when treats are involved.

"Hold on!  I've got a little something on my nose!"
Or when something interrupts my photo shoots.

"Squirrel?!?  Where?"
Heehee. 

Mom usually has to catch Abby unware...

"I know she's going to throw that frisbee!"

"I am communicating with the Mother Ship.  Don't interrupt me."
Heehee.

But just to let you know we are not wild and crazy All The Time (no matter what Mom says), here are a few photos of us in repose.  (In truth, Mom is still playing around with ISO and aperture settings, but hey, you can never have too many pictures of us.)

Don't bother me.  I'm napping.

Holy Hipposnooterus, Batman!  Mom wasn't even using any distortions or adapters for this photo!
And now it's time for a nap!  Have a great week!

Zzzzzz.

*kissey face*
-Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus

12 comments:

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

We think your Mama is doing a great job with her Doodle Trebuchet adjustments Fiona!!

We are really enjoying all the beautiful portrait shots of you AND the Trebuchetaction shots of Abby!!

Smileys!
Dory

Murphy said...

Yes, excellent ear flappage! Your mom is getting some good shots so you must be working with her. Now speaking of your mom, we thought she was very nice when we met her but she is causing trouble for us. We fear it could lead to worse events. We need to curtail her influence. Please talk to her.

Your Pals,

Murphy and Stanley

GOOSE said...

I love love to see you two in action. My MOM has a pumpkin launcher at our church. Surgical tubing attached to a BIG wooden structure. Talk about getting a good launch of not only pumpkins, but balls, apples, squirrels (hahahha) Best of all it launches all this out into a big alfalfa field. Now that is fun! Have a beautiful week friends.
Blessings,
Goose

Louisette said...

Wonderfull serie fotos, greeting from Belgium

Dexter said...

Is "catching Abby unaware" code for "she's too flaky to focus?"

It appears that you both do quite well on the flat, sans launcher, but of course it lacks the thrill of not knowing when you might be flung into orbit.

Kisses,
Dexter

How Sam Sees It said...

I bet you guys sleep good with all that serious flying you do! I'm not sure our pups are that aerodynamic!

Monty and Harlow

said...

I hope that Jim, err...Momma gets that Trebuchet calibrated soon ladies. Your aerobatics remain quite impressive despite equipment challenges :)

Cowspotdog said...

you two could so give give Air Bud a run for his doggie cookies !

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

WE are going Cracker Dawg over the "Damn it Jim" thingy... That gets right to the Heart and "BONES" of the thingy. BaaaaaWaaaah. Maybe your mom could get your Doodle Launcher... BEAMED UP.

Two French Bulldogs said...

Holy macaroni you got the moves, BOL
Lily

Molly the Airedale said...

We just love all of your launch pictures. We always wonder how the heck you girls get yourselves into these nutty positions!

Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly

Laika said...

Fantastic photos of you guys.