The Return of My Imaginary Dog (woof woof)

I’m on vacation this week, relaxing for a few days before another hectic year begins.  Aside from launching this new site, I’m just practicing a little yoga, hanging out with my beloved, and catching up on my reading.

One of the things that caught my attention was an article in the NY Times from early December.  It was about a social networking site for dogs called “Dogster“.     In it the site’s founder Ted Rheingold was quoted as saying “It’s not weird at all“.

It’s so “unweird” that Rheingold also has a site called “Catster“, and “Horseter”,  “Fishter”, and “Birdster” are soon on their way.

This all got me to thinking – are these things really necessary?  Do dogs need a social networking site?

What better place for me to turn than my imaginary dog.  Remember her?  “Lady” (that’s not her real name to protect her privacy) still exists in my head – I know it’s a little cramped in there but we still haven’t decided whether to let her loose in our house.

I decided to ask Lady about “Dogster” (I’ve translated dog-speak to English):

Starbucker:  Lady, long time no chat!  (by the way, you are such a good dog – I never have to take you for a walk!).  Have you been to Dogster yet? 

Lady:  Yes, I have – what a cool place! I get to hang out with my peeps and trade dog food recipes

Starbucker:  Wait a second – you can type?  And when do you get to a computer?

Lady: Ah yes, the benefits of being imaginary – I can do everything a human can do!

Starbucker: OK, fine. So tell me, do you think these things are necessary for dogs and other pets like yourself?

Lady:  Hey, 345,000 dogs can’t be wrong Mr. Starbucker – in fact, after the NY Times article and quote ran, the site got 54,000 visitors in ONE DAY!   By the way,  I have a great correspondence going with this Jack Russell – mind if I meet up with him?

Starbucker:  I’m not so sure of that Lady – last thing I need are 4 or 5 imaginary dogs moving around my head!   Anyhow,  pure numbers don’t answer my question – what’s really going on with this thing?

Lady: You just don’t get it, do you?  I don’t exist.  That was YOU that went to the site, just like every other owner of the 340,000 dogs that have registered.  It’s really for the owners – and that’s the real beauty of the internet -  it provides a place for like-minded people  with common interests to congregate.   Hey, are there any milkbones here?

Starbucker: Mmmmm……..does that mean I should be starting a site called…..”Half-Fullster“?

Lady: Sounds like a plan to me, boss,  Now let me get back to that Jack Russell; he is SO cute………….

I think I’ll keep Lady in my head for a while longer. 

I need to get back to work soon – oh, and stay tuned for Half-Fullster….. 

Popularity: 18% [?]

Tweet This Post

Tagged as: dog, dogster