This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
February might be a short month, but like every month, it was packed with a healthy dose of dog studies and dog news. In case you were hibernating, working, catching up on a good book (or True Detective!), taking care of a sick loved one or just not reading dog news, here’s what you should check out:
Part 1. On Spot’s Terms
Spot’s Vision, Updated
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-> What the dog really saw, Malcolm Campbell (@m_m_campbell)
-> Cats and dogs may see in ultraviolet, Tanya Lewis (@tanyalewis314)
What’s on Spot’s Mind?
Oodles of coverage of a new dog fMRI study out of Hungary.
-> How voice tickles the dog brain, Virginia Hughes (@virginiahughes)
-> Your dog can tell from your voice if you're happy or sad, Joseph Stromberg (@josephstromberg)
-> Yes, dogs know how we feel, Virginia Morell (@VirginiaMorell)
-> Dogs' brain scans reveal vocal responses, Rebecca Morelle (@rebeccamorelle)
-> Brain scans show striking similarities between dogs and humans, Brandon Keim (@9brandon)
-> Looking at dog brains, Jessica Hekman on Greg Berns fMRI research (@dogzombieblog)
~~~
Part 2. Spot’s Identity Crisis
Spot = Place for Nuts?
-> A squirrel attempts to hide a nut in the fur of a Bernese mountain dog (HT @mikel_maria of Cats and Squirrels for pointing this out)
Part-Wolf Spots Need Help
-> Scientific approaches to enriching the lives of sanctuary wolves and wolf-dog “hybrids”, Lindsay Mehrkam
~~~
Part 3. Our Relationship With Spot(s)
Quantity or Quality of Relationship With Spot?
-> Is caring for animals good for young people's social development? Zazie Todd (@CompAnimalPsych)
Spot and the Kids
-> The kids are alright, Linda Case (Facebook)
-> Dogs and babies: Not always cute, Moi (@doubelieveindog -- an oldie but relevant)
Spot’s Welcome Home-Wag Raises Questions
-> Dogs welcoming soldiers home, Karen London (@The_Bark)
Big Spot, Small Spot
-> Small dog privileges? Yes or no?, Patricia McConnell (Facebook)
Spot #2: Second-Dog Syndrome
->My dogs do sensitive work. Will my new one let me down? Cat Warren (@Cat_Warren)
Maybe Spot Shouldn’t Drink That
-> Making antifreeze less deadly for pets, and people, Deborah Blum (@deborahblum)
~~~
Part 4. Spot Would Really Like These Products
-> The Foobler: What it is and why you might want to get one, Sophia Yin (@SophiaYin and @Foobler)
-> Why all pregnant women with dogs need a treat & train: A vet behaviorist’s view, Sophia Yin (@SophiaYin)
~~~
Part 5. Competitive Spots
-> Why Olympic snowboard judging is better than Westminster Dog Show judging, Hal Herzog (@herzoghal)
-> Mutts take Manhattan, Alexandra Horowitz (Facebook)
And finally bunnies doing agility, because bunnies!
See you in March!
Photo: Sukanto Debnath via Flickr Creative Commons