Dogs

Pet-Proof Your AV Gear For Fun and Profit

Unless you want to spend money on replacing your AV gear or replacing your pet, you're going to have to protect one from the other. Sound & Vision Mag has seven suggestions on how to do just that. Among them are wrapping up your rat's nest of wires behind the TV, placing a ScatMat (not what it sounds like) to gently shock little animals that step near your goodies, shielding your screen and hiding your remotes. Sounds like a pretty good warmup for when you have to baby-proof your AV gear a few years down the line. Especially with that ScatMat thing. [Sound And Vision]

4:30 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Jason Chen
2,496 views, 32 comments

Latest by frigg: @johnnyabnormal: nice! more »

fuzzywuzzymodo

Gizmodo Animal Day (Just Because)

I asked Wilson why we had two animal posts on the page, back to back. Seems like overload on critters. But then I kind of remembered I really LIKE animal + gadget stories. I mean, FuzzyWuzzyModo was my idea, and all. So, I think we'll do a few more posts like this, for the hell of it, on this slow news day. Look, a polar bear pretending to be on the phone! Leave a caption! [Photo via Dark Roasted]

2:21 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Brian Lam
3,943 views, 36 comments

Latest by Evil_Snow_Man: "I haz ur Bukkit!" more »

retromodo

Soviet Dog Cooked in Space Only Got this Lousy Statue

It's the stuff of canine legends. Fifty years ago Laika the dog went from stray zero to hero when the Soviet Union strapped her to Sputnik 2 and launched it into the cold reaches of outer space. The trailblazing pooch, who had a statue to her unveiled in Russia last week, proved that living things could survive in space. Her trip also paved the way for more ambitious human-related endeavors, like John's Glenn's historic orbit, the Apollo 11 moon landing and Tom Hanks' career. Laika eventually died an excruciating death from overheating when life support failed a few hours after launch, for which Russia recognized her with a monument. All that sacrifice, and just a statue? More »

6:00 PM on Sun Apr 13 2008
By Jack Loftus
9,315 views, 52 comments

Latest by jackfrost132: Ohhh I'm a rocket dog! Burning up the capsule with a failed support system, ROCKET DOGGGG! more »

gadgets

Oxygen Dog House: An O2 Buzz for You and Your Pooch

We have heard about the potential health benefits of inhaling pure oxygen since the 90's—but in Japan this fad is still going strong. In fact, they are getting their dogs involved with products like this new O2 Doghouse. Marketed as a "dog hospital" of sorts, the O2 Doghouse will deliver 100% pure oxygen to your sick pooch while he rests inside. And the best part is that you can hit the generator as well—so both you and your dog can relax side by side. Now that is what I call bonding. [Trends in Japan via DVICE]

8:30 PM on Fri Mar 28 2008
By Sean Fallon
2,423 views, 14 comments

Latest by boomersooner9133: @omureadhaigh: yes oxygen is an accelerant i knew that and that you cant have a flame in a pure oxygen environment but seeing as the possibility of leak into a non pure oxygen environment is highly plausible its still more »

gadgets

Retromodo: Doggy Treadmill Idea is Actually From 1930

We were wrong when we thought that our crazy technologically-obsessed culture now was responsible for the doggy treadmill idea. It originated in the the 1930s. Modern Mechanix dug up one of their old articles from the last century and found this thing, first debuted at the LA Dog Show, which supposedly lets dogs run for "an hour without getting anywhere." How could you tell (besides the black and white) that this is an invention from the last century? Because the lack of safety concerns for the dog; the whole thing is raised up off the floor, meaning if Floofy gets tired, he's going flying. [Modern Mechanix via Boing Boing]

2:00 PM on Wed Mar 26 2008
By Jason Chen
2,448 views, 10 comments

Latest by P3TER: @AtomikB: Yup, I remember seeing one of these in an old stately home in Wales. They have been around since the 1500's. Search wikipedia for 'turnspit dog' and you will see a picture, or Google for 'whiskey turnspit dog' to more »

animal welfare

Hot Dog Temperature Alert System for Car Owners too Stupid to Have Pets

If ever I want to give my late, unlamented sister-in-law—she's not dead, she's just not my sister-in-law any more—a present (other than a punch in the chops) then I need look no further than the Hot Dog Temperature Alert system for cars. Install it, turn it on, and if the temperature rises above a preset one, then the windows roll down automatically, the horn sounds and a man in uniform appears as if by magic with a red hot poker that he rams up your ass. Okay, so I made that last bit up, but here's a story about my late (I wish) unlamented sister-in-law that you might enjoy. More »

9:17 AM on Thu Mar 20 2008
By Addy Dugdale
4,213 views, 12 comments

Latest by valarmorghulis: Small world, I know some people studying the Wild Dogs in Botswana. more »

gross

Dead Dog Sweaters May Not Be the Best Way to Remember Your Pets

Beth and Brian Willis really loved their dogs Kara and Penny. They were very sad, understandably, when they died. What did they do to remember them? Frame a photo of their beloved pups? No, that's too normal for these two. They decided to make sweaters out of the fur of their dead pets. Yes, I said sweaters out of their dead dogs. More »

10:30 AM on Wed Mar 19 2008
By Adam Frucci
13,526 views, 72 comments

robots

Tennis Ball Cannon is a Dog's Best Robotic Friend

Now, a beer launching fridge I can understand, but a tennis ball cannon? I find it amusing when someone spends a tremendous amount of time and effort building something that can automate basic functions—like throwing a tennis ball to a wiener dog. But the results speak for themselves. It is an inspiration for lazy people everywhere. [BoingBoing Gadgets]

10:00 PM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Sean Fallon
27,961 views, 63 comments

retromodo

People in the 1930s Sure Hated Their Dogs

We thought that the dog doodie diaper was the worst pet gadget of all time, but it's been usurped in the hallowed tradition of pet owner stupidity. This advertisement starts with the lead "Dog Rides Comfortably in Sack..." and just gets worse from there. More »

8:57 AM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Mark Wilson
19,315 views, 50 comments

robots

Sorry Dogs, Beer Robots are a Man's New Best Friend

While dogs have been man's loyal companion for many a era, advanced technology has made them obsolete. Thanks to Chassis, the lovable, pony keg carrying R/C beer-dispensing robot, you'll no longer need to learn the defining characteristics of Weimaraners and terriers. Instead focus on the subtle differences between your favorite IPAs, or just stare (in a drunken stupor) for hours at Chassis' blinking lights—before a friend comes by, addresses the phallic nature of Chassis' spout, and your dog has a new crap catcher for long walks. [suicidebots via make]

8:39 AM on Fri Mar 7 2008
By Mark Wilson
10,054 views, 25 comments

Latest by MrBlahBlah: @Out2gtcha: I second that more »

animals

Dog Barks Deciphered; Yes, Dogs Are as Simple and Dumb as You Thought

Researchers in Budapest have spent a lot of time analyzing dogs barking for some reason, and they've figured out a way to create software to decipher exactly what your pooch is saying. That's not to say that Rex is suddenly going to start saying "My, Joseph, you have been sitting around the house all day in a dreadful state. Don't you agree that it would be to both of our benefits if you took me out for a jolly stroll?", but it will let him say "Walk! Walk walk walk! Walk! Walk Walk! Walk!" More »

3:50 PM on Wed Feb 6 2008
By Adam Frucci
22,990 views, 91 comments

Latest by cookieseller: then my three bitches are magical or geniuses cause they never bark at me when they need something, they only bark when they hear noises outside, when there's a stranger (stranger bark, ok) or when they want to get in. more »

pet pleasures

Cool&Hot Comfort Pad Keeps Your Bitch Warm

If your dog is crap at thermoregulation, you are going to need to give the little tyke a hand. The Cool&Hot comfort pad not only comes with a fantastic PR image, but it will also allow your pet to get all cuddled up and warm in the winter, or remain as cool as a corpse throughout the summer.
More »

9:00 PM on Sat Jan 19 2008
By Haroon Malik
7,021 views, 33 comments

brush aside

Pull Your Dog's Hair Out with the Pet Furminator

Dog or cat hair problems? The Pet Furminator somehow gets to the undercoat where hair is matted, leaving the shiny topcoat untouched. Looks like a great way to solve that problem of furballs and hairs sticking to everything in your abode, including you. Or, you could solve the problem by just not living with a bunch of animals. Heck, you could just take a cue from the cuisine of some foreign countries, where uttering the sentence "I had a dog" isn't a wistful reminiscence, but refers to last night's dinner. After all, it's all protein. [Hardware Aisle]

11:47 AM on Fri Jan 11 2008
By Charlie White
9,637 views, 59 comments

Latest by petsgalore: I have two 17 year old persians. One has a really thick coat and his skin is like butter. His sister hates to be combed. I stopped taking them to groomers because they always got knicked ... and they only more »

howling success

'Silent Night' for Dogs a Big Hit in New Zealand

Who says dogs had to be left out of all the Christmas cheer? Enterprising musicians in Auckland, New Zealand, recorded a special synthesized version of "Silent Night" using frequencies that are so high that only dogs can hear them. The kicker? It was a huge hit. More »

11:50 AM on Wed Dec 26 2007
By Charlie White
5,381 views, 10 comments

france

Automatic Dog Washer Looks Like Waterboarding for Pets

I don't understand a word of the video because I don't understand the language of surrender, but I don't need to in order to see that the dogs trapped inside of this $30,000 contraption for the four minutes of washing and drying aren't exactly experiencing jouissance. They're dogs, not designer jeans, people. And the guy that climbed inside to show it's safe is probably a plant who loves pain. [Key TV via Spluch]

2:45 AM on Wed Nov 7 2007
By Matt Buchanan
4,539 views, 24 comments

Latest by mrz2u: Season 2, episode 15...dont the French have any original ideas anymore? Beavis and Butthead may be dead but they are not forgotten you frogs! more »

more money than brains

Gold and Diamond-Encrusted MP3 Player for Dogs Reaches New Depth of Absurdity

The business of ripping off people with more money than brains has just reached a new low. Innobitz tugs at the heartstrings of pet owners with JooZoo, an MP3 player for dogs that's so spangled with genuine diamonds and 18 karat gold that it costs an astronomical $2000. Thank goodness there are no headphones, which would probably drive a dog nuts. Instead, there's a speaker that plays automatically triggered sounds that correspond to "various behaviors," supposedly calming down the unfortunate dog encumbered by such a device. We would suggest further torturing the poor thing with recordings of choice sayings such as "Want to go out?" "Let's go in the car!" "Time to eat" "We're taking you to the vet" and a loop repeating the dog's name. [AVing]

9:17 AM on Fri Nov 2 2007
By Charlie White
1,208 views, 17 comments

Latest by jaywalker: well, here in vienna we have an icecream parlour which sells ice cups to dogs, with typical dogfood flavors. fido's owner has to cough up e 3,50 for one of these rip-offs. more »

halloween

Dog Dresses Up as iPhone for Halloween Celebration

Who says people get to have all the Halloween fun? Dress up your dog in this iPhone Halloween costume and he'll be the envy of all the other mutts. On the other hand, wearing this getup couldn't be much fun for the poor guy. Nevertheless, this is a brilliantly executed costume, even better than that Darth Vader dog costume we showed you in the past. It doesn't quite reach the level of that Croc-Eat-Dog masterpiece, though. In this case, someone really knew what he was doing when he put this one together, with meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship—even laying down what looks like plexiglass for the iPhone's touchscreen. And what's that? A leash where the iPhone's headphone jack normally is? Brilliant. [Gregory Hull on flickr, via Make]

11:15 AM on Wed Oct 31 2007
By Charlie White
9,101 views, 23 comments

Latest by Darkest Daze: I used to own one of those dogs and unless that thing ways 1-2 lbs, there's not way it can hold that and walk. more »

ipod

Even a Dog Can Scroll Through Pics on an iPod Touch

Here's your proof that the iPod touch is easy to use: It's such a no-brainer that even a hairy mammal with a brain smaller than most humans can scroll through the pictures on it. Hey, it also shows how scratchproof that glass screen is. [Core 77]

2:17 PM on Thu Oct 11 2007
By Charlie White
15,140 views, 31 comments

Latest by LastVigilante: @adamgamble: Nope, I'm not on a Mac, buddy. @hagrun: Thanks, I'll give that a look-see. I have VLC but never understood all the options for converting video and which ones to use for converting to iPod. Its just unfortunate that the more »

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