Dial-A-Dog

Good idea or cruel trick to play on your pet?

It's simple. Dial your phone and call your pet. Talk to him. If he/she gets lost. Track them, online or on your PDA or 3G phone.

The PetsCell™ is the first voice enabled waterproof GPS cell phone optimized for animals. It will be available for distribution late in 2006. Measuring approximately 5 cms wide, 2.5 CMS thick and 9.4 CMS long, the PetsCell™ sets the standard for GPS tracking devices for pets.

How would Ernie react if he suddenly heard my voice? My guess is that he would run to the door, expecting me to walk in at any moment. When I didn’t appear, he would probably run from room to room, thinking I was playing game of Hide and Seek. Still not able to find me, he would probably start whimpering and continue to frantically scour the apartment in a panic, trying to find me.

Okay, so the tracking feature would be handy if—God forbid—you lose your pet, but I can’t imagine many pets would react well to hearing their owner’s voice without the owner following close behind. Nor would they enjoy having that bulky device on their collars all the time. I think I'll pass.

(via Virginia.)