Several weeks ago Bella made a construction that was entirely new, a connect-the- dots triangle which took up 1/3 of the living room rug. To get a triangle this size, Bella used the blue denim dog bed and the tie out leash attached to the coffee table as “dots,” in addition to the five regular toys that were out. I was reminded of Donnie the Doberman, whose use of cloth toys to make geometric patterns was featured in a National Geographic special on canine intelligence. Donnie made his constructions when no one was looking, but thanks to Dr. Barbara Smuts, who conducts research on animal behavior and teaches at the Univ. of Michigan, Donnie's behavior was captured on hidden camera video. To watch footage of Donnie at work, go to the Doberman’s Den website. I was reading the comments people made about Donnie's constructions which prompted me to get Bella some "puppies." As you can see, she used three black "pups" as dots for the triangle. Comments are closed.
|
CommentsBella's website is magnificent. Her constructions are becoming more and more intricate and amazing. Her attention to detail stuns me. As an educator, I think about a lesson for first graders. I would show Bella's sculpts to my kiddos and have them create some using multiple toys. The lesson would focus on looking carefully like Bella does, which way do the black deer's feet face and what is the rule for the other toys? Then moving to writing on paper, which way do your d's face,how about p's? Kids would love it.
I find the leash sculptures with their loops to be jaw dropping and just wish that I could watch Bella create one. Of course I love the scent training too.
-SP Thank you for sharing Oscars story. I loved it!! Can't wait for the next chapter. - Linda Lance enjoys his walks with his new friend, Bella. Lance does not do anything as creative as Bella's sculptural constructs. However, Lance is GREAT at De-constructions! We can find evidence of his deconstructs all over the house as he carries everyone's slippers around and sometimes chews off the fuzzy cuffs of the slippers, or takes out the insides of his stuffed toys and scatters the remains around! - Hugs and Licks to Bella, - Evie and Lance Thanks so much for sharing Bella's website with me! I'm familiar with Donnie, the Doberman & think it is so cool that Bella's talents are being showcased online! - Jessica A You sure must have your hands full, dealing with two such resourceful and intelligent dogs. But what a wonderful gift they bring. - Steve D Wow! ACD's are such intelligent dogs and Bella has demonstrated this in such an exceptional way. What a sweet and beautiful girl. And Kepu too! Good luck to you and your wonderful dogs and what a great website you have! - Maris F Bella is a lucky girl to have found someone who "gets" her! Is there a talent to chewing up stuffed toys? If so, my dogs are very talented! Great site! Keep it up. - Cathy Y I am amazed at your photos and your insight. You could be intuitive to Bella's and other dog's secondary communication. Thank you for sharing! Charlotte, NC - Susan B You were number 4 when I googled canine construction...Bella is famous! - Susan B What an interesting subject, and what a great dog! Before I read your blog, I had no idea that dogs created or expressed in this way. I am sharing the information with my friends who have dogs. -Kristin Sweet- I've never known a celebrity dog with her own website. How adorable she is. - Heather Kriensky DVM Website is so sweet. Pretty good pictures and illustrative of the Artist's work. I like it and wanted more. You present it without presumption. Let the viewer see what they see. Feels like a nice invitation to dialogue if others have a similar experience. Good work. - Melanie In Dog Sense author John Bradshaw writes about how dogs love their humans and want to please them. Clearly Bella loves her human and has figured out that her constructions please you. What a lovely relationship. - Sally I was fascinated by Bella’s constructs. Before I opened the site I thought, “this is crazy.” But the photographs document something extraordinary and fascinating. - Jamie Maybe the camera,maybe Bella knows your scent and it changes when you are happy, maybe she watches your eyes and face for happiness???? Dogs are so amazing and the science behind their amazingness is starting to catch up to what good dog owners have known all along. - Sally Categories
All
|