The headlines alone amused me and got my attention (back in August.)

 

(Because, really, how do they test:  ”Dogs can shake 70% of the water from their fur in 4 seconds?”*)

 

The science and photography behind the study is really cool.  (And I suggest you go read The Atlanic article by Alexis Madrigal for pix and video.)

The full study is available for download here.

 

Basically it says that a dog’s backbone twists about 30 degrees in either direction. But that loose skin whips around farther and faster – 90 degrees in either direction.  According to the math, the skin travels at three times the speed of the backbone. The water droplets on the tips of the hairs attached to the skin are flung off by 9 times more force (than twisting the spine alone.)

 

(But we knitters all ready knew this, yes?**)

 

They did not explain why the mammal shake starts at the nose.  Or why most dogs wait to shake near a human. Or why Sam gets curlier when wet.)

 

 

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With respect to Sandy:  it is wet. Power is still on.  Wind is supposed to be worst from 5 pm tonight till tomorrow sometime.

*That line is from various sources. Try here, here, here, here, or here.

**To speed drying raw fleece or delicate knitted wools, place item inside a pillow case. Tie pillow case shut. Go outside and swing in great wide circles over your head. The centrifugal force pulls the water to the outside and flings it off.) (Never mind what your neighbors think.)

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