Tag Archives: Pokemon Go

How shelters can use the Pokemon Go craze to their advantage

Posted on July 26, 2016 | Leave a comment

I heard a business report recently that local shops can benefit from people using Pokemon Go by promoting themselves to people who are out and about playing the game.  For example, local cafes can offer specials for thirsty players to take a break.

And then the animal shelters got involved…

The animal shelter in Muncie, Indiana noticed that a lot of people were  walking around playing Pokemon Go.  Always in need of dog walkers, the shelter staff came up with the idea – play Pokemon and walk a shelter dog at the same time.

Pokemon Go poster

To take a Pokemon Dog, you have to sign a waiver form and you are reminded to watch where you are going for the sake of both you and the dog.

Walking is great exercise for dogs and humans.  If this Pokemon Go craze can help animals in shelters and rescues, I’m all for it.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

 

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Before Pokemon Go

Posted on July 18, 2016 | 1 comment

The video game Pokemon Go is all the rage at the moment.  I do struggle with the fact that people seem to be willing to walk into traffic or drive their car off the road while playing a game…

Long before Pokemon and video games, there were dexterity puzzles.  These handheld games were a game of skill:  the aim was to roll a ball or other shape into a designated hole/space or through a maze.

The puzzles date back to the 1800s, and were still being manufactured through the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Produced in large numbers, often sold through country fairs and amusement parks, or given as favors at children’s birthday parties, they were manufactured in a wide range of countries including the United State, France, Germany and Japan.

Here are just a few dog-themed examples:

A 1950s example
A 1930s example of a dexterity puzzle featuring a bull breed dog

 

So when you’re ready for a break from Pokemon Go, hop into your local antique/collectible shop, onto Etsy, or visit the weekend garage sales and see if you can find some dog-themed dexterity puzzles of your own.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

 

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