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Join the pet tech revolution

BY D. GRAHAM CURRY

My dog Dodger is a bit of a softy despite my best efforts. He is scared of tricycles. His coat tends to dull when he doesn’t eat high quality dog food and he recently developed a rash on his paws. The latter of which prompted my wife to take him to the vet.

So, over the years we’ve created an ever-growing accordion file to help us manage Dodger’s medical history, pet insurance and miscellaneous documents. But I knew we needed a new system when I found myself wading through stacks of paper after dealing with his most recent ailment. That’s when I did what any self-respecting American consumer would do: I turned to my iPhone for a solution.

The late and beloved Steve Jobs didn’t disappoint. A quick search in the Apple App store returned a plethora of pet-centric apps including the Dog Medical Agenda. This app is just what the doctor ordered. In a short period of time, I created a digital database capturing everything from Dodger’s microchip information to his upcoming vaccinations and recent treatment.

My wife typically plays the role of tech nerd in our family, but my trip to the pet aisle of the app store helped me to unearth my inner geek. I found myself searching for apps for every aspect of pet life. As a result, free apps such as Pet Services Finder have proven to be the missing link in accommodating all of Dodger’s doggy needs.

There are plenty of pet apps regardless of whether you search using the Android or iPhone platform. Tablet users have just as many options. Apple has a number of great pet apps that work across multiple products, but you’ll need an idea of what you’re looking for prior to searching since there is no “pet” category to use as a filter.

Traveling with your dog? Eukanuba’s Off Leash Mobile Dog Expert uses your GPS to locate the five nearest leash-free dog parks, while MiPets Pet Info Organizer does just that, with everything from medications and vet info to your pet’s feeding log.

Folks that love convenience will find that a quick dive into the pet app pool proves that life is better with gadgets. I love the fact that I can instantly get training tips, pet friendly events and more at my fingertips. My life can be hectic, so I’m excited about any app that can make being a pup parent easier. I think you will be, too.

Oh, and if you don’t yet have a pet? Don’t worry. There’s an app for that, too, thanks to Petfinder.com.

D. Graham Curry lives in Nashville with his wife Lovette and their sometimes-dressed dog, Dodger. It’s a Doggone World is an opinion column on four-legged culture.