Friday 9 March 2018

My kind of Festival! And a dilemma...

Yesterday Gail brought home a brochure for the forthcoming Edinburgh International Science Festival.

Gosh don't you think the event described below (or click here for link) would be absolutely the perfect brain food for Gail and myself?

Yes, you read that right. DOGS WELCOME!

Unfortunately this very intellectual discussion takes place on Easter Saturday, when we will be visiting Human Granny in Nottingham. Or might I perhaps jump off the train at Edinburgh Waverley station on our way south? Just a thought.....

Oh gosh I would so love to attend, and put everyone straight on the important distinction between intelligence and obedience, a matter which many humans seem confused about when it comes to their canine companions.

It seems sort of appropriate here, even if a day late for International Women's Day, to end with the quote with which one of Gail's book group friends always signs off her emails:

"Well behaved women seldom make history".

11 comments:

  1. Bertie darlin' you and your WFT tail need keep your seat when the train stops at Edinburgh Waverley ....PLEASE!!

    As for the quote...
    I, Madison D Cat, will make my way into the history books as rarely behave
    Hugs madi your bfff

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    1. Madi, your place in history is already most certainly secure!

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  2. Hari OM
    Deary me Bertie lad, I can't tell you the number of times I have seen stuff which has piqued my intellectual curiosity but the timings have clashed with other priorities... sigh... When such a question arises as faces you, dear boy, I have two words for you. Family first.

    Then again, if the hop-off hop-on makes timing sense, why not, eh?

    ... did that help??? Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  3. First of all, love the quote about woman...

    We terriers think for ourselves. We don't just do that blind obedience thing. And We train our peeps. It is a great shame you can't go to the seminar, but we know HGY would love to see you.

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  4. This would be a perfect for you Bertie...we do know about the family first thing tho...maybe they will tape the interview for later viewing??
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Arty & Jakey

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  5. Dear Bertie,

    You absolutely must go to the seminar! As our Scientific Advisor it is your duty so convince Gail to delay her visit to HGY, travel with you to Nottingham on Easter Sunday and then stay a few more days with HGY after Easter.

    Like you, I am fascinated by the subject of how intelligent our species is and how we can let mere humans know, so last year I enrolled in the University of Auckland. I participated in their “Clever Canine Lab” study of dogs!

    My human told me I was just one of many “lab rats” (after her own time at NZ universities) but what an experience… you would have loved it Bertie! The look on the researcher’s face when I did certain things. The fact I had to work out if I should or shouldn’t take food when they told me to “leave it” and they looked away. Of course I took the food – do they think I am stupid to leave such tasty treats put right in front of my nose! They videoed me while they read me the story “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” – what was that about??? I am a senior dog so the story should have been appropriate to my intelligence and not something intended for small humans. After that, I had fun adding my own “twist” to the test of who I would run towards! Guess what… one of the nice researchers, who tested me, studied at St Andrews University on your side of the world and another researcher there at the University of Oxford, yet here they both were in Auckland testing me, recording my every move and giving me food! What does that say about the level of intelligence of dogs on this side of the world!!!!

    So my learned friend, have a look at their website https://clevercaninelab.auckland.ac.nz/ , check out what the study is about, the team, their web link to the German study about dogs and food, listen to the Radio NZ interview about what goes on in the Lab (in “Latest News”) with Gail and then convince her you really need to attend the Easter Saturday discussion, to see what current research is being done in Scotland, so you can report your findings to us all about this very important subject.

    Woofs,
    Riley

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    1. Riley my friend, as ever good to hear from you. And what a fascinating time you must have had furthering the cause of science! Gail and I don't doubt that you were the absolute star if the Clever Canine Lab study and we are heading over right now to check out the website.
      Toodle pip!
      Bertie.

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  6. That is too bad you won't be able to attend as it sounds so very interesting
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  7. Dang, that looks like a good time for dog and human. I wonder if we can get Dr. Jill MacCay to give a talk in Oregon? That would be a "sold-out" affair! Have a happy Easter Sunday♥

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  8. Bertie - Waverley at Easter is probably best avoided.

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  9. Smother Human Granny with kisses from us. See if videotapes are going to be available.


    teka

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