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I spied on my dog when she was home alone with cameras. She’s weirder than I thought.

Heidi, a nine-year-old dog, has been under the watchful eye of her owner, Julia Yee, who set up cameras around her home to monitor Heidi’s activities while she was away. Using Philips’ Wireless Spotlight Camera and Indoor 360° Camera, Julia discovered that Heidi spends most of her time napping, self-entertaining, and waiting for her return. The cameras provided a detailed view of Heidi’s day-to-day life, revealing her quirks and habits.

Background

Julia Yee, who has had Heidi since she was a puppy, decided to use home surveillance cameras to satisfy her curiosity about what her dog does when left alone. The cameras, provided by Philips Home Living, offered features such as real-time rotation, tilt, and night vision, allowing Julia to monitor Heidi’s activities throughout the day and night.

Dog, meet camera. Camera, meet dog.

The first camera Julia installed was Philips’ Wireless Spotlight Camera, which she positioned facing Heidi’s bed in the living room. This camera provided a fixed view, while the second camera, Philips’ Indoor 360° Camera, allowed for real-time rotation and tilt to cover the entire room. Heidi seemed aware of the cameras’ presence, often staring directly at them.

Heidi

Lots of naps

Julia quickly noticed that Heidi spent a significant amount of time napping. Each time she checked in during the first few days, Heidi was on the floor, sound asleep. Julia even used the camera’s two-way talk feature to wake Heidi up, only to see her dog search the house for the source of the disembodied voice. The cameras made it easy to capture these moments with a simple tap of the “Record” or “Screenshot” button.

Heidi Napping

Self-entertainment

Despite the long naps, Heidi did find ways to entertain herself. The camera’s motion detection feature recorded any significant movement, revealing Heidi’s playful moments. These recordings were automatically backed up on cloud storage, ensuring Julia could revisit them anytime.

Heidi Playing

Waiting

Most of Heidi’s day was spent waiting. She often stared at the camera, seemingly aware of the experiment. Whether waiting for the lift to chime, the gate to screech open, or Julia to call her name, Heidi’s patience was evident. This behaviour highlighted the bond between Heidi and her owner, showing how much she missed Julia during the day.

Heidi Waiting

Philips Home Safety 5000 Series

For those without pets, Philips’ cameras can also be used to monitor elderly folks or young children. The 2K cameras provide crisp images, even when zoomed in. The Wireless Spotlight Camera can be paired with a solar panel for outdoor use, and the Wireless Video Doorbell offers a wide 160° view with night vision. These features ensure that homeowners can keep an eye on their property and loved ones, providing peace of mind.

Philips Camera

Future implications

Julia’s experience with the cameras has not only satisfied her curiosity but also strengthened her bond with Heidi. The insights gained from monitoring Heidi’s activities have provided a deeper understanding of her dog’s behaviour. For other pet owners, using similar surveillance tools could offer valuable information about their pets’ well-being and daily routines. As technology continues to advance, the potential for home surveillance to enhance pet care and security is significant.

Heidi and Julia

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