New toy from Japan, a cat-translator!


TOKYO, July 16 — After selling 300,000 pet-lovers on the Bowlingual gadget that supposedly translates a dog’s bark into human language, a Japanese toymaker Takara Co. is planning a similar one for cats.


Okay, I know dogs will put up with this, especially since they won't object to having something on their coller. But cats, c'mon, they're already too clever for us.

First, they're never going to actually say or do anything if you bring the device near them. Second, they're going to be upset at us for misunderstanding what they really mean and will start devising their plans for world domination, drawing the conclusion that we are no longer useful "pets" to keep. Third, they're going to catch on to what the thing does and start talking (meowing, purring) in code.

Damn, I miss having cats.