Even I, a devoted ailurophile, found this distressing.
Yes, it’s a headless dog. In place of the canine’s cranium is a speaker.
Now the pun de résistance, its name: the Woofer.
Brendan I. Koerner, in an article in today’s New York Times, describes the Woofer "as tacky as a lawn gnome." I think that’s being way too kind.
But the incredibly icky item (my description), says Koerner, "is a sophisticated speaker system, capable of transmitting the decidedly nonkitschy sounds of Brahms or Thelonius Monk."
If you’re interested, you can get a Woofer for 599 euros (around $777 U.S.) at POAA.
I would suggest, however, that you keep the family pooch away from it.
I doubt there’s any way poor Nipper or his brethren would want to hear a master’s voice on this thing!
Other less disturbing designs: The Woofer is a creation of Sander Mulder, a product designer in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Mulder also is cofounder of the Dutch design studio Buro Vormkrijgers.
Lest you think everything produced by the company is ickily avant garde, click here to check out one of the firm’s more aesthetically appealing clock designs.
Using cat cash or dog dollars: A more attractive use of animal imagery is available on the Pets Reward Visa card from Bank of America.
You can put your pet’s picture on your piece of plastic. Then, every time you take Fluffy or Fido out of your wallet, you earn points that can be applied toward veterinary services, pet food discount certificates and shelter donations.
That last points-paying charge option also could be a valuable tax deduction if you itemize.
Or you could use your card to buy a Woofer.
