Dogs

Igniting Sparks, Surviving Fireworks and Dog Science July!

Hey Julie,

well, here I am, back in chilly, wintry Melbourne. #SPARCS2014 was an amazing event - such an intense three days with early feedback suggesting over 40,000 people joined in online for canine science, excitement, wonderful researchers and inspiration!

You've done a great job capturing the essence and feedback of this international conference over at DogSpies on the Scientific American Blog Network. I'm so pleased someone took photos, or I think I would have convinced myself it was all just a rather lovely dream!

I loved our time together in Rhode Island and New York - especially the bit where we ate Peter Pan donuts and talked about - actually, all I remember now is the original glazed. Ahhhh. Donnuuuuttttttttttts.

I'm betting we were probably talking about what a crazy month July is shaping up to be - and by crazy, I mean in all the best ways. We've both returned home only to launch into full conference-prep-mode the Canine Science Forum (this year also featuring, for the first time, the Feline Science Forum) July14-17th - people can follow on Twitter @CSFFSF2014 at #CSFFSF2014.

I'm excited that we are both sharing our own research at the conference in the form of oral presentations and posters, so we've both got plenty to prepare. I've enjoyed reading over the newly-released Scientific Programme to see what other topics are being presented! These 30-ish original research presentations represent the latest in our field in the two years since the 3rd CSF in Barcelona (where we met!) as well as the introduction of a new 'Controversies in Canine Science' talks (with topics like 'To what extent does hybrid vigour exist in dogs?'). Talks are sure to ignite more passionate discussions, like those we enjoyed in the panel discussions at SPARCS 2014.

With just two weeks to go, I'm thinking things might get a little quiet here on the blog as we focus on preparing to share our research. I know I am going to need every spare moment to get organised and travel to the UK where I also get to see my gorgeous sister in law get married before we meet up again in Lincoln.

I hope everyone who enjoys our blog will keep in touch with our updates on Facebook and Twitter during July.

Perhaps it's a good time to review some posts from our archives?

So much great canine science discussed over the two years since we launched the Do You Believe in Dog? project. It's actually really fun to reflect on how much we've shared in the course of writing to each other.

With 4th of July hitting various parts of the world this week, I'd probably recommend the series of posts we've both contributed to about helping our canine companions with fireworks:

Fireworks: not fun for everyone (or every dog)

What kinds of dogs are troubled by fireworks, and what to do about it

How to make fireworks less upsetting for dogs
I'm going back to drafting my presentation powerpoint for #CSFFSF2014 now Julie - see you in Lincoln, UK soon!

Mia

p.s. So great to hear the incredible feedback from our two #SPARCS2014 free ticket giveaway winners:

"Thank you SO MUCH for the ticket to the SPARCS 2014 conference. It was incredible... it felt life-changing."

Read what we shared at the last Canine Science Forum (2012):

Hecht J. (2013). Physical prompts to anthropomorphism of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 8 (4) e30. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2013.04.013

Cobb M.; Branson, N.; McGreevy, P. (2013). Advancing the welfare of Australia’s iconic working dogs, Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 8 (4) e42-e43. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2013.04.054

© Mia Cobb | Do You Believe in Dog? 2014

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