Twitter Goes to the Dogs

Mattel Incorporated has combined technology, the social network Twitter, and America's love of dogs.

Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking and what he would say if he could speak? Mattel's device can't make that happen but it can give you random tweets that you can interpret any way you wish.

There are 500 phrases that will tweet arbitrarily. No longer do you need to wonder what aimless barking at air means. You may get a tweet saying, "I bark because I miss you!"

The dog, naturally, must have his own Twitter account. Mattel provides software for your computer and USB receiver. There is also a pink tag for girls and blue for boys that are attached to the dog's collar. When the tag is activated by the dog moving or barking, your best friend will tweet you. The tweets have been preloaded into your computer with the software.

If only it was not preloaded software and we really could have some sort of dialogue with our best friends. We would know when unwanted visitors were skulking around or if the dog was happily digging up your rose bush. He might alert you to an ex or just simply say, "Ahhh, the delightful smells under the roses!"

Of course there would be no more guesswork for potty walks either.

How successful this device will be remains to be seen. Pocketbook and lap dogs are already with their human parents so they don't need them. True working dogs like Australian cattle herding dogs speak with actions. Hound dogs are far better equipped with a global positioning satellite collar when they take off after a pesky rabbit.

The device sells for about 30 dollars. The demographics of the buyers are probably young, wired, and bored at work.

Who knows how long the novelty of dogs tweeting will last? Remember the hula hoop (still around) and pet rocks (a flash in the pan)? Mattel may strike it big; they might even have a new puppy dog tweet Barbie around Christmas.