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One of the first things I bought after getting a new puppy was a Furbo dog camera.
At the time, it wasn’t because I imagined that one day two French Bulldogs would develop an elaborate belief system centered around a glowing treat-dispensing machine.
I just wanted to keep an eye on Zeus.
I bought the Furbo shortly after Zeus broke his leg. While he was recovering, it gave me a way to check on him from work, watch him when he was safely in his kennel, and occasionally launch a treat in his direction if he was out while I was home.
It was useful.
It was reassuring.
It was fun.
And, as it turns out, I may have accidentally introduced Zeus to his higher power.
And Then There Were Two
By the time Electra came along, Furbo had become one of those things we couldn’t imagine not having.
Watching the two of them on camera was endlessly entertaining. We could check in on them, see what they were doing, and get their little daily “nanny” reports.
And, of course, Furbo could dispense treats.
This was very important.
Especially to Zeus and Electra.
Over time, they learned exactly what that machine in the room was capable of.
Then Furbo got an update.
And that’s when things really got out of hand.
Furbo Introduces “Calming” Music
At some point, Furbo added a feature designed to help calm an upset or barking dog.
If the dogs barked for an extended period, Furbo would start playing calming music. Once things settled down, it could automatically dispense a treat.
This sounds like a lovely idea.
And perhaps it is.
Unless your dogs are Zeus and Electra.
Because Zeus and Electra didn’t hear calming music.
They heard the dinner bell.
It didn’t take them long to figure out the sequence:
Chaos.
Music.
Treat.
At first, I’m sure it was accidental.
They would get wound up. There would be barking. Furbo would decide intervention was necessary and begin playing its soothing music.
Eventually everyone would calm down.
Then…
TREAT.
Zeus and Electra noticed.
Of course they noticed.
These are dogs who can apparently hear a cheese wrapper being opened from three rooms away. There was no chance they were going to overlook the fact that a period of questionable behavior was being followed by mysterious music and a snack falling from the heavens.
They Cracked the Code
Before long, the pattern became obvious.
Zoomies.
Chaos.
Furbo music.
Two French Bulldogs suddenly sitting directly in front of Furbo like perfectly behaved little angels.
Waiting.
They had cracked the system.
What Furbo intended:
Dog gets upset → soothing music → dog calms down → positive reinforcement.
What Zeus and Electra apparently understood:
Cause a scene → summon the music → assume the position → receive payment.
I’m not entirely sure who trained whom.
Even funnier is what happens once the music starts.
Whatever they were doing immediately becomes irrelevant.
Wrestling?
Over.
Zoomies?
Cancelled.
General Frenchie nonsense?
Suspended until further notice.
The moment they hear that music, Zeus and Electra stop what they’re doing and report directly to Furbo.
Then they sit.
And stare.
Because God is speaking.
And God has treats.
The Sacred Furbo Light
The music isn’t the only sign.
Furbo also has a light that changes when it’s active and someone is watching through the camera.
Zeus and Electra know.
Oh, they know.
I might open Furbo because I see them playing in another room and want to watch what they’re doing.
The light comes on.
Immediately, someone notices.
Then both dogs are staring at Furbo.
Because the light means there is a possibility—however small—that the machine is about to provide snacks.
Whatever game they were playing can wait.
This could be important.
Sometimes I’ll talk to them through Furbo’s speaker.
“Hi, guys!”
And I can watch their reaction through the camera as they try to process the fact that my voice is apparently coming from their treat deity.
Naturally, sometimes I toss them a treat afterward.
Which has done absolutely nothing to discourage their belief that Furbo is an all-knowing supernatural being.
A light appears.
A voice speaks.
Food falls from the sky.
Frankly, I can see how they reached this conclusion.
Their Daily Worship Service
At this point, Zeus and Electra know every sign.
Furbo lights up?
Report to Furbo.
Furbo starts playing music?
Report to Furbo.
A mysterious voice comes through the speaker?
Definitely report to Furbo.
Then they sit directly in front of it and stare upward with complete concentration.
Waiting.
Watching.
Believing.
Sometimes one treat comes out.
Sometimes more than one.
And sometimes…
Nothing.
I imagine those are difficult moments for their faith.
The Ultimate Betrayal
There is, however, one situation that Zeus and Electra consider completely unacceptable.
Sometimes they’re safely in their kennel and Furbo starts playing its music.
They hear it.
They know what it means.
They know what comes next.
The music plays.
The anticipation builds.
And then…
TREAT.
Except they’re in the kennel.
And the treat is not.
The horror.
The betrayal.
Somewhere outside their reach lies a perfectly good Furbo treat that was clearly intended for them.
They can see their god.
They can hear their god.
Their god has provided.
And yet they cannot reach the blessing.
There are few injustices greater in the life of a French Bulldog.
We Bought a Camera. They Found a Religion.
For us, Furbo started as a practical purchase.
After Zeus broke his leg, I wanted a way to check in on him while I was at work. Later, when Electra joined the family, it became a fun way to watch the two of them, see their antics, talk to them through the speaker, and occasionally surprise them with treats.
For Zeus and Electra, however, the relationship has evolved.
They understand the lights.
They understand the music.
They understand the mysterious voice.
And most importantly, they understand that if they stare at Furbo long enough, there is always the possibility that food will suddenly shoot out of it.
We may call it a pet camera.
Zeus and Electra know better.
And when Furbo calls, you sit down, look attentive, and wait for your blessing.
