Linda Hall: Bone to pick about robot dog

Photo / Thinkstock

As soon as Christmas decorations go on sale in shops, the volume of pamphlets through my letterbox goes sky high.

The build-up to Christmas shopping is under way.

To help us decide what to buy for the children in our lives, The Warehouse has released its top 10 toys for Christmas.

There are the usual suspects, such as Lego and board games. The Nerf Range of super soakers is there, of course.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a good old-fashioned water fight in the backyard after lunch.

The stakes are way higher these days, with some pretty impressive water devices out there. Gone are the days of hiding behind a tree with a bucket of water.

While I have played my part in a fair few water fights, my family, well some of them) have been known to partake in "whipped cream fights".

I have had whipped cream rubbed in my face, my hair and smeared across the windscreen of my car.

We haven't done it for a few years ... perhaps we've grown up at last.

I was not at all surprised to see merchandise from the movie Frozen on the list.

This movie has captured the hearts of our little people.

I know lots of them who know the words to this movie off by heart. If I ever hear the song Let It Go again, it will be too soon.

However, the two items that really caught my eye (they are actually the two most expensive items on the list) are robot pets.

Tekno Puppy, $149.99. "Tekno is an 8-week-old lifelike robotic puppy that responds to physical gestures, lights, sounds and even an app on your tablet device."

And Zoomer Dog ($199.99) is touted as being "Your new real best friend who will bark, talk, scoot around and play with you. Zoomer responds to voice commands and even follows your movement with his cute puppy eyes."

My goodness, is this the answer to making our streets poo-less? Could this be the end of neighbours complaining about barking dogs?

Oh no, actually Zoomer Dog does bark but I imagine he or she, whatever the owner cared to call it, would be quiet as a mouse at night.

You would save a fortune in pet food, vet bills, you wouldn't have to worry about it chewing your slippers or digging up the garden.

Going on holiday? No worries, no expensive kennels, don't need to bother the neighbour with feeding duties, just pop Zoomer in the corner.

It wouldn't matter if the kids lost interest, parents wouldn't have to take over the responsibilities, adding more chores to their already busy lives.

No, just tuck Zoomer away in the cupboard and bring him out on a rainy day.

Downside? No cuddles, no adoring eyes staring into yours, no one to talk to when all other humans are out of the house, no excuse to get out of the chaotic house because the dog needs some exercise, and no excuse to run along the beach throwing sticks.

Mmm - I'm sure Zoomer will make someone very happy but I think I'll stick with the cat.

• Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today