A dogged entrepreneur has produced a high-tech solution for canine owners who feel guilty leaving their pets at home alone - a videotape to entertain housebound hounds.
"Doggie Adventure," a 25-minute video for the wet-nosed set, is designed to stimulate Fido, not turn him into a couch canine. Filmed from a pooch's perspective, the tape portrays a non-stop romp through city streets, parks and a barnyard teeming with animals. Its creator hopes that dogs will sniff, howl and slobber along.The VCR still must be turned on by humans, or activated by a timer.
Writing and producing a video geared for dogs just seemed natural to Harley Toberman, a Minneapolis businessman who says his recently deceased dog, Miss Piggy, was responsible for the project. The half-terrier, half-dachshund mongrel doesn't appear in the film but her bark is featured on the soundtrack.
Toberman, 44, said he is talking to some national retail outlets to try to bring the $14.95 tape to stores by Christmas. Meanwhile, it's available by mail order.
Toberman, who runs a Twin Cities recording studio, said the idea came to him after an outing with Miss Piggy to a friend's farm two years ago. The cows sent the dog into a frenzy, and Toberman filmed the scene with his portable camera. "Every time she saw that tape, she'd start barking furiously," he said.
Guilt also played a role in the videotape's creation.
"Many times, when we'd go out and do something and we'd tell her she had to stay, she'd have a real sad look on her face," said Toberman. "It broke your heart."
Filmed on location in Minneapolis and Hinckley, Minn., - during the dog days of August, natch - the tape cost about $15,000 to produce.
Stereophonic sound gives canine viewers an earful. A collar jangles, grass crunches underfoot - er, underpaw - and water is slurped up from a dish. The crunch of dog biscuits adds to the ambiance.
"Doggie Adventure" is available by mail for $14.95 plus $2 postage and handling from Made for Dog Videos, P.O. Box 300122, Minneapolis, MN 55403.