The Wall Street Journal recently had an article about iPad apps for pets. Who would have guessed? One of the big problems — especially with cats — is they then think the iPad is theirs and it’s sometimes hard for the humans to use it in peace.
One of my grandcats loved to watch cat videos, and he watched them almost every day. The first time we visited Kaitlin and Torben in their present home we arrived before they got home from work, so we let ourselves in. Both cats ran at first, and Boomer kept well out of sight. But Hass was more curious and came back to watch from a safe distance. Andy and I were sitting on the couch, so I started playing one of Hass’s videos. He decided it was probably safe, so he climbed up on his chair in front of the TV and watched it with us. That’s what we were doing when Kaitlin and Torben came home.
Here’s a picture of Has looking at a laptop:
He was a sweetie, and I was happy to buy him videos. If he were still alive — and if Kaitin and Torben would let him use their iPad — I would happily buy him some apps. I do draw the line at buying Sammy and Montana their own iPads, though. What do you think?
i adore that story!
i don’t think cody and montana would seriously be into the i~pad apps.
more like if their grandparents brought them a great rawhide chew!!!
… not from china though!…
i had a little cocker spaniel once though that always watched the westminster dog show with me. she’d sit right by me on the sofa and look intently at the screen until a commercial. then she’d look away or lay her head down. then when it came back on there she was . . . watching all those dogs in that box! LOLOL.
her name was sara. a real little sweetheart.
but then… aren’t they all.
and ps…
you and bhb are NOT the only ones who use your stress hardiness ideas.
i use them! and appreciate them!
and ps… number 2
i like your ‘new blog!’ xo
Yes, I think Sammy and Montana would prefer something edible. 🙂
About the stress-hardiness ideas — which are your favorites? The one I use the most is “The quality of our lives depends on how we focus our energy and our attention.” I use that every day when I read the news. As soon as I get an adrenaline rush from something disturbing, I try to redirect the energy to something more interesting and constructive. I don’t have that much time and energy left — I’m not about to waste it!
That kitty with the iPad is too cute! However, I am visualizing a cracked iPad if I let my Labs play on one with their big paws. But, it looks like every kitty should have their very own!
I would keep iPads away from Sammy and Montana too. When Banshee (Sammy’s sister) was still alive I would sometimes try to give them one of those puzzle balls — put the treat inside and let them figure out how to get it out. Banshee would investigate it for a bit, then give it to Sammy. He had no problem. He has strong jaws — he would simply crush the ball and eat the treat. No, no iPads for him!
Yes, buy them an iPad. (They can share.) After all they are your Granddogs.
I think I’ll stick to mammoth bones. One for each of them. I once tried buying a big one for Sammy and a medium-sized one for little Montana, but Montana grabbed the big one for herself. Even though she’s small, she’s the queen.
crazy!
but then again, all this new technology is here to stay – I just sat near this lass on the train with some sort of iPad (about 8 x 8 ” rectangle) and she was busy playing some game with large squares which randomly needed to be touched with what seemed all her fingers – she had a break about every 15mins to massage her hand/fingers and then got back into the game…
the technology annoys me with how “it has be so near, in case, I guess you miss a text/call” but it’s here and I shouldn’t be annoyed…because it doesn’t matter really to me if everyone has their head/eyeballs in another sphere and missing all the exciting things I see and hear daily…
“hear” refers to those earbuds and other ear covering things that means they can’t hear me/other…more missing out on life!
It sounds as if you don’t need expensive gadgets to make you feel alive. Good for you! It does seem that people are less apt to interact with strangers than they used to. They’re too busy on their phones or playing with their toys.