NPR: Fetch 2.0: Guy Builds Machine for His Dog

Fetch 2.0: Guy Builds Machine for His Dog

Filed under: Video

Back in January, Lam Ngo posted a video of his dachshund, Jerry, playing fetching with a machine Ngo built at home in Cary, N.C. Since then, nearly 1.7 million people have watched the clip on YouTube, leaving comments like "Simply awesome," and "OMG Best video on YouTube."

Ngo shared his video with us and explained how he made it. He also explained a part of the video I'd been wondering about. When the dog tugs on the red cord, he's forcing the machine to speed up, Ngo says. Which means Jerry learned not just how to use the machine, but also how it works. I'm amazed.

Laura Conaway

7:38 AM ET | 05- 8-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I just loved that. So touching.

Sent by Ian Chillag, NPR | 8:05 AM ET | 05-08-2008

What do they say about old dogs and new tricks?

Sent by Avie at NPR | 11:24 AM ET | 05-08-2008

See, Conaway? I told you dogs are good for you.

Sent by Sarah Goodyear | 11:35 AM ET | 05-08-2008

I am not joking when I say that this video is so adorable that my kitchen caught on fire while I was watching this video. The kitchen is fine, but the oven required a lot of cleaning. I do not regret watching this video as it burned.

Sent by Andy Skogrand | 12:16 PM ET | 05-08-2008

FYI, Fetch 2.0 is a trademarked computer program for Macs...

Sent by Danny Brothers www.israelibyday.com | 1:17 PM ET | 05-08-2008

That was so awesome.

Sent by Susie | 1:52 PM ET | 05-08-2008

There was a commercial a few years back that featured a dog retrieving tennis flung into a lake by one of those practice machines. You know, the one that pitches balls at people to take a swat at with a bat or racket. The only difference I see is the dog can self load it.

Just wait til the kid gets old enough to play with it and starts breaking windows with it. It won't be that cute then.

Sent by ecotopian | 3:03 PM ET | 05-08-2008

thanks for posting this!! i'll definitely keep this in mind for the future when i can finally get a pup of my own! i'd feel so much better knowing that my dog would be able to still play even if i had to go to work!

Sent by Michael Wood | 3:40 PM ET | 05-08-2008

The only people who talk about "dumb animals" are the ones who've never lived with them.

Sent by Annette Campbell | 6:02 PM ET | 05-08-2008

Wonderful! I have a ball retrieving obsessed dachshund as well. I'd love to make one of these for Hanim. Lam, any chance you'll post directions?

Dachshunds are the best!

Sent by Missy White | 11:37 AM ET | 05-09-2008

market this and your son's college fund is in the bag.

Sent by mary | 2:20 PM ET | 05-09-2008

My dog Bentley Is a ball retrieving obsessed dachshund also.I need one also

Sent by Diane | 11:32 PM ET | 05-10-2008

Re: Ecotopian's comment about the kid breaking things...you know what Lam can do...take the machine apart or put it away.

Its a cute machine and a cute dog and I think the story is uplifting.

Sent by Fatima | 1:22 PM ET | 05-11-2008

Is that machine for sale? OUR dachshund would love it. She must somehow share genes with Jerry. The video really had us in hysterics.

Sent by Nancy | 10:36 AM ET | 05-18-2008

I agree with Mary. I'd go into debt for one of these things to keep my corgi, Harry, off my back. He has a 3" diameter brain filled with a 2" image of a ball.

Sent by Carol | 11:05 AM ET | 05-18-2008

Such a beautiful story! So touching to see that you cared so much for Jerry that you took the time to build him a machine that allowed him to play as much as he liked.

I think you should put your invention on the market as I am sure there are many other dogs and dog owners who would benefit from your ingenuity also.

Sent by Stacey | 2:00 PM ET | 05-18-2008

I also would like to know if Mr. Ngo plans on producing more of these machines as my Yorkie would love this. He is obsessed with his plastic red ball and playing fetch.

Sent by Annie | 10:34 AM ET | 05-20-2008

I love this story! When I was growing up one of the many dogs we had was a Dashound that was absolutely obsessed with fetching.He would not stop.If we hid his toys he would bring you anything he could carry. It could be a tiny piece of lint.It is very difficult to throw a tiny piece of lint. He would get very frustrated that you were not cooperating. Holding the the tiny piece of lint between his two front paws he would sit up on his hind legs and shake his paws at you!

Sent by cindy gardner | 3:39 PM ET | 05-20-2008

I just checked, and our Bichon, Pixels, wants one too. She says she will do anything to get one including not pooping in the house. So, please, someone, make one of these for sale.

Sent by jwawz | 4:23 PM ET | 05-30-2008

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