By design, dogs seem to be sturdy little creatures. Four solid legs, ending in four feet appropriately proportioned for the size of the beast, gives four points of contact with the earth in which to balance and stay upright. They are like little coffee tables, weight evenly distributed, feet and legs working in unison to propel them forward and rarely if ever tipping side to side. Although the last time my coffee table propelled itself forward was after I had had one too many glasses of wine, but that's a story for another time.
That being said, even sturdy feet seem to need a break now and then. Even dog spines need to be stretched out and relaxed every once and awhile, just like us after a long day. Maybe that's why dogs like to sometimes lie on their backs. It stretches the spine in the opposite direction to relieve pressure and it feels good. Most dogs lie on their backs and kick their feet up, sometimes wiggling from side to side to itch an area on their backs they usually can't reach otherwise. Leila will do this occassionally, writhing back and forth and kicking her feet like she's riding and invisible bicycle upside down. Then she'll immediately flip back over and glance around to see if anyone actually witnessed her momentary loss of inhibitions, embarrassed by this rather unladylike action.
Bodie, on the other hand, is the king of the Inverted Downward Dog. Whether it's to relax his back, take the stress off his feet, or just to release his inner exhibitionist by pointing his boy-bits skyward (what is left of them, that is), Bodie will stretch out on his back and stay there. There is no wriggling, no itching, no bicycle riding. Although sometimes there is snoring. He doesn't care if I have clean folded laundry on the floor, am just about to vaccum right there, or even if I have company over....he walks over, flops down and there you have it: a shameless display of doggie-crotch.
I'm not sure if he thinks there is a tanning bed there or not, but there is no denying his comfort level with this yoga position. He will stay that way for extended periods of time, sometimes falling asleep. He doesn't care if there is a noisy action movie on the TV or if Leila is in the room as well, he just tunes out and turns on. In some ways I envy his ability to get so comfortable that he can sleep in such an awkward 
position. Maybe it's not awkward for him, just for the rest of us trying to avert our gaze from his display of manliness. That's always the fun topic of conversation when I have company over, especially kids. Good thing he has a hairy tummy! And if there is an obstacle in the way like a shoe or a couch...no matter! He'll drape over it or even up the side of it. For those poor souls sitting on the couch at the time, good luck standing up. An upside-down Berner that is half-way up the front of the couch takes up a lot of real estate! Tread lightly, lest you step on something important!Whatever the reason he likes to invert himself, be it relaxation, exhibitionism, or just to have a different view on life, Bodie likes the idea of lying on his back whenever possible. Some think he is waiting for the inevitable belly-rub, but I'm pretty sure it's just to embarrass the daylights out of me.
