Bella's Canine Constructions
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Picture

Big Ball/Little Ball

7/20/2011

 
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My husband was doing the grocery shopping when the purple rubber ball caught his attention as a toy that Bella would like and give her something different to play with.     The purple ball wasn't like the cloth toys that Bella uses to make constructions and she didn't know what to do with it, despite our efforts to engage her by rolling it down the hall, etc.    I left the ball out in the living room that night.     The following day, I noticed Bella inside her canvas crate with a two ball sculpt out in front.    Where did she get the tennis ball I wondered?   Then I remembered I'd been throwing the tennis ball for her outside.    She must have had the idea of putting it with the purple ball while we were playing and was able to bring the tennis ball inside without my seeing her.    Who says dogs can't think?

Sonja
7/20/2011 04:49:54 am

Its so obvious Bella understands the correlation between shapes. The photos of her constructions clearly illustrate that she is observing similarities in objects in her environment and collecting and grouping them together. The message behind the constructions may not always be clear to the outside observer but there is a message... a conversation with her owner.

This reminds in a way of my 8 year old rescued Boston terrier. She used to react with fear when any object resembling a stick was raised near her... a broom, a roll of wrapping paper. She clearly recognized and associated the shape of these objects with some past experience and/or resulting emotion. She's been with me for 7 years and "sticks" are now one of her favorite kinds of toys (regardless of size) and the first thing she picks up when I initiate playtime. She no longer fears a stick, but finds joy in them. I'm just thankful she didn't associate humans instead of sticks with the abuse she clearly endured... I can't throw a human and say "fetch"... what a shame :)


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    Bella'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




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    Dog Works:  The Meaning and Magic of Canine Constructions

    YouTube footage of Donnie the Doberman
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