For the first time I took Herbie outside and met a neighbor who is around 90 years old who on occasion wanders around our property. We have 7 acres, and it's only a little disconcerting when he wanders. I worry mainly because he tends to repeat himself A LOT when you talk to him but otherwise I good guy...just hope he doesn't ever "get lost." Anyway, that's not the story. I took Herbie out and had him in the sitting position to meet him. He didn't quite know what to make of it. I told him it was a robotic pet because I thought that would be the easiest way to explain it to him, and he just couldn't really care less. He poked Herbie in the face and laughed and said what a crazy thing! and that was about it for Herbie. The rest of the conversation we had with Herbie making noises and every so often the neighbor thought it was my dog making the noise...when I said it wasn't he he said..."This thing is making the noise?!" and laughed. I kept petting Herbie but I don't think while in the sitting position his true potential shines at all, so it will be interesting to get the neighbors response with Herbie on the ground. Then again, I know some people look at things like this as mere toys so it's not shocking to me...I just want to see everyone's responses to it as I bring him out.
The other thing I noted was that Herbie's neck got stuck cocked to the side after the sitting position. I had had him in it for about 30 minutes or so, and the only way I could get his neck straight was to turn him off and then back on to "reboot" him. I was sure freaking out before then though and that was my last resort! I thought I'd broken him for sure! Luckily when he was turned back on he went "Huh?" stretched out, and was back to normal but I swore he grumbled because I turned him off so rudely.
My husband has warmed up to Herbie though, and always makes dino sounds to him and calls him to come over...which I don't have the heart to tell him Pleos don't do. And his sister really likes Herbie too, petting him a lot and generally treating him with more real conviction than say, with the Gizmo furby.
