Cats talk in 'human' with new Meowlingual

Mainichi.co.jp ^ | July 16, 2003

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

The developers of the Bowlingual dog translator device have continued their quest to bridge an understanding between different species with the introduction of Meowlingual, which they claim translates cat cries into human language.

Cat lovers can use Meowlingual as if it was an interviewer's mike to automatically interpret what their beloved pets are saying, according to officials of Takara Co.

The gadget, priced at 8,800 yen per unit, will hit Japanese markets in November. About 300,000 Bowlinguals have been sold in Japan since its launch last year.

It went on sale in South Korea in late May and will be made available in the United States in August.

The dog translator was awarded the 2002 Ig Nobel Peace Prize for promoting harmony between the species by the US humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research. (

[A_perfect_lady]

One of my five darlings (I wish I knew how to post photos!!) was hit by a car and his spinal cord was broken, fortunately very low down. His tail had to be amputated, and he no longer has control over the last inch of his intestine. In other words, he's kind of incontinent with a tendency toward constipation. So we have him on Hill's RD high fiber diet. And that's when the vet told us about pumpkins.

[FairWitness]

- - - I always know what he's telling me. Now what he's thinking is another matter...

"When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name." (T.S. Eliot)

[honeygrl]

How much is 8800 yen in US $$? Sounds like a neat gadget.

[honeygrl]

"Hmmmm. Well, I already know, "Feed me!" and "Stop whatever you're doing and lift me up on the bed because I'm too lazy to get up there myself!" "

Yep, it doesn't take much time with any pet to figure out the basics pretty quick.

[honeygrl]

"Cats, among themselves and with humans, have a very sophisticated group of comments and commands that are transmitted by their facial expressions, too. "

And don't forget that tail. A look at how their tail is moving can easily tell you how annoyed they are at whoever is bugging them.

[honeygrl]

"The other one makes a box of rocks look like a PhD candidate. I'll pay for a translator of her speech and she frequently meows at the wall. "

I had a male cat that was stupid like that... he frequently just ran into walls for no apparent reason. Didn't even have an eyesight problem. He just wasn't smart enough to look where he was going.

[honeygrl]

" I've rather fancied tying some paper towels soaked in windex to her paws and have her wash with windows while she's at it. Mr. Peel doesn't think that's a good idea. "

Just super glue some swiffer pads to her paws.. you could just cut them down a bit to fit properly.

[Sabertooth]

I don't get it. You?

[honeygrl]

" Instead, you growl. Stand very tall (they are easily intimidated by height) - stand on your tiptoes - stare at them while giving out a growling sound, then to really simulate anger, with your right hand swish the air behind your rear end. They think you have a tail, and its just come alive, and it is very angry. "

I actually tried the cat growl thing on the kitten we had (for only a month thank god) and it just made him more angry. He was super dominant and just flat out could not remain a house cat. I have many scars to prove it. He never went in to nice mode. He started the behavior at 5wks old when I got him and continued it for the whole month until I took him back to my cousin and let him live outdoors with his siblings and mother. They say he is now happy and a bit nicer. He was raised indoors around people too until I got him. He just had a screw loose in his head and thought he was going to dominate and bully us all.

[truth_seeker]

When my wife and I returned home today after a couple of hours, our dog greeted us with his normal barking.

My wife commented: "That is his happy bark."

I sort of agree with her. He's a great friend, truly happy to see us return.

People who take time to be gentle with animals DO notice their subtle, but definite moods and communications.

I don't think they have very large vocabularies, however. Just a few moods.

Please (feed me, pet me, etc).
Thanks.
Alert for strangers (guard dog).
Glad to see you.
I'm not feeling well.

You can add....

[catfur]

Oh yes, of course I have the book.

I love these cat threads too heh heh.

[stands2reason]

"Are you awake yet?"

"Are you awake yet?"

"Are you awake yet?"

"Are you awake yet?"

"Feed me!"

"I'm thirsty!"

"Pet me!"

"Are you ever going to clean out my litter box?"

"Why can't I go outside?"

"Why are you leaving?"

---------

"Where have you been?"

"Feed me!"

[stands2reason]

"turn on the faucet so I can get a drink",

I have one of those, too.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

8,800.00 JP (Japan Yen) = 74.3812 USD (United States Dollars)

[jwh_Denver]

LOL!

Damn I love cats! Saw a show about cats and they said that a cat's primary duty in life is to please itself. Ain't that the truth? Doesn't mean I don't mess with them though. I don't mind always losing.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

HOW TO GIVE A CAT A PILL

1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room; sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for vet to make a house call.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

I just tried that. Trekkie isn't impressed. AT ALL.

It only really works if you just caught them doing something that they know they shouldn't be doing. Just doing this for the sake of doing it, really confuses the heck of them.

[kitkat]

***I don't get it. You?***

Sure, Sabre. ALL cats are miniature tigers. Ever watch them hunt? Step by step, muscle by muscle, whisker by whisker, they truly believe they are sabretooths.

[KneelBeforeZod]

I'll be babysitting this little brat next week

[tiamat]

Poor kitty!

I am glad he has a good "Mom"!

Tia