So- this is that cake that toppled over in the car after a dog ran out in the road. Had to slam on the breaks and swerve to miss another car- so it totally detached from the base and flopped over on its side. Crazy enough the only major damage was done to the back. Luckily I hadn't attached the flowers yet, otherwise those would have been ruined. Also, I am positive that the center dowel saved the day!