Technology has for sure has grown by leaps and bounds. To quote famous author Arthur C. Clarke “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

I came across this sort of technological advancement in relation to a programme on pets aired on Animal Planet. Anyone who owns a pet might be interested in reading this. These days people can go to any extreme in order to take care of their pets. People who own them know that they are almost a part of their family providing love and affection and seeking nothing in return. As I myself own a dog so I was very keen to watch this programme. It featured new tools and techniques employed to take care of your pets. The scene of action was Japan where a working individual had to find out ways to take care of his dog who had to stay at home alone the whole day. This is a common dilemma that working people have to deal with. It was incredibly interesting to see what happened when this guy went out to work.

Now picture this…After the owner leaves for his office, the dog sits down comfortably on a couch and starts watching a movie(which has obiviously been programmed for him by the owner), which features fellows from his own breed. It is absolutely wonderful to see him glued to the television. After the movie, the dog (let’s name him Casper) takes a small nap. In the mean time, the owner has a lunch break at office and so he logs on to his webcam to watch his pet’s antics. Happy and relieved to see Casper comfortable on the couch, he goes ahead and has his lunch. On coming back, he notices that Casper is now awake and walking around the house. He is reminded that it is also lunchtime for Casper. Now this guy remotely controls a specially designed food dispenser that he can use to feed Casper. A bell rings and Casper understands that it is his lunchtime and runs to gulp down his food and water. This action reinforces the Pavlov classical conditioning theory. Later in the day before heading towards home, the owner once again checks on Casper through his webcam and he is happy to see that everything is fine. He even calls out Casper’s name so that the dog feels that the owner is around and does not feel lonely. In addition, this guy also has an option to monitor Casper on his mobile phone. Finally when he reaches home after work both Casper and the owner are happy about the day well spent ;-).

Not only this, there are special dog crèches in Japan which offer specialized dog food. They believe that the readymade food is passé and dogs should be treated with a little more respect. The owner of the crèche prepares special meals and delicacies and serves them individually to the pets. She believes that the dogs should also be served food aesthetically. So the plate is arranged as if you are having a dinner at a five star hotel. Though what happens next is anybody’s guess. Some of them eat the food quite nicely while others just have a ball snatching others food too!

There are special clinics where old and senile dogs can be treated using techniques such as acupressure. They can have the luxury of a spa and enjoy the sunny day to the fullest.

There are fashion shows organized for the pets where they pose akin to models for pictures that will go into the memoirs of their owners. And how can the owners forget to enrol for competitions in which their dogs have to perform and win laurels.

In India, all this seems far-fetched though there are some hunky dory dog shows happening every once in a while. But knowing that pets are being pampered this much in some part of the world can be a fascinating experience for any dog owner. I do pamper my dog very much though I can’t monitor him in the same manner. Anyways, I am definitely impressed!