Posted on 04/27/2012 7:51:46 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Plenty of things will grab a dog’s attention: squirrels, tennis balls, funny smells, other dogs. But a TV channel?
Absolutely, say the makers of DogTV, the first cable network to deliver 24-hour programming for dogs. The idea, they say, is that flipping on the channel while you go out for the day will keep your pet stimulated, entertained and relaxed. Call it “Sesame Street” for those who will never learn their ABCs.
The shows on DogTV are actually three- to six-minute segments featuring grassy fields, bouncing balls and humans rubbing dog tummies. There are also segments featuring noiseless vacuum cleaners and muted doorbells to help make dogs more comfortable around such common household agitations.
Executives at the network say their programming is scientifically designed to appeal to dogs. “We have three years of research on how dogs react to different stimuli,” said Bonnie Vieira, a spokeswoman for DogTV.
For instance, she explained, “For dogs who suffer from separation anxiety, DogTV is a tool that might help ease them, so maybe they’re not getting into trouble, and they’re happier, more relaxed, when you get home.”
But can dogs actually watch, and benefit from, television? Like most questions regarding canine consciousness, the answer depends on whom you ask.
“I think a lot of this is to make us feel better as opposed to making the pet happier,” said Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus, a staff veterinarian for the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. “Your pet needs adequate exercise and an interesting environment. You cannot just put on the TV and hope your dog is going to get better.”
(Excerpt) Read more at well.blogs.nytimes.com ...
“Good evening. Here is the news for Parrots. No parrots were involved in an accident on the M1 today when a lorry carrying high-octane fuel was in collison with a bollard. That’s a bollard and not a parrot. A spokesman for parrots said he was glad no parrots were involved. The Minister of Technology (photo of minister with parrot on his shoulder) today met the three Russian leaders (cut to photograph of Brezhnev, Podgorny and Kosygin all in a group and each with a parrot on his shoulder) to discuss a £4 million airliner deal...(cut back to narrator) None of them went in the cage, or swung on the little wooden trapeze or ate any of the nice millet seed yum, yum.”
This is good. I have to be careful what I let my little Pomeranian/Chihuahua watch. Absolutely no liberal programing (which means he is pretty much restricted to The History Channel). He already lives a life of entitlement: two meals a day, handouts off of our plates, the warmest spot on the bed, several cookies whenever he wants them, top-notch healthcare and long RV vacations, all while he lays on the couch all day waiting to be entertained. My dog is already the perfect liberal. LOL.
While The Stig is a smaller parrot, he is nonetheless awesome for his size.
Should The Stig become a bollard, I will immediately contact the person I know with lots of Parrot Knowledge.
In the meantime. I will ingraciate myself to all the feathered FR members.
The Stig LOVES millet!
My dog watches Nat Geo Wild.. And History Channel.. He has a longer attention span than I do! :)
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=213g13b&s=6
Most of our dogs could care less if the TV is on or not. However, our miniature bull terrier became very excited while we were watching the Westminster Dog Show. I was forced to turn off the TV before she decided to jump into the screen.
When his job took him away longer than the bird was used to..he started leaving on the tv to old sitcom reruns for him. After a while he noticed the bird was muttering, punctuated by a “ha-ha-ha”.
My brother finally figured out he was imitating the dialog and laugh track! It was pretty funny.
I can believe it! I like the “I’m not a chicken” thing. What a hoot!
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