Sherman and Marco are Greyhounds, specifically,  Italian Greyhounds.  Their looks and temperament are much like the larger racing greyhound -- they just come in a smaller package!  They are sometimes confused with Whippets, but the IG is a breed unto itself.  They tend to be shy around strangers, but are completely wide open with family and close friends.  They are bright, yet incredibly goofy!

At first, it was simply to check in on the dogs during the day while I was at work. This dog web camera site has been growing in size and popularity ever since.  Hundreds of different people from all over the world look in on the dogs every week.  It's amazing!  The second and third cameras were added to allow the dogs greater freedom and access to an open sunny area.  Dogs love to lay in the sun!   Without the additional cameras, there wouldn't be much to see at times!  A live remote control camera was added in 2002.

Pictures are updated regularly Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Hours of operation may vary slightly. The Dog Window is even sometimes available on weekends!  Two snapshots are taken within two minutes, and if a change is detected (i.e. motion) then the picture is saved for the webcam page.  Saved pictures are uploaded every few minutes.  Pictures are available from two locations:  Camera One  and Camera Two are in the guest bedroom where the dogs can frequently be found sunbathing. A live camera is available in the sunroom as well.   Camera Three is in the "Dog Room" which has their food and litter box.  Don't worry, ALL cameras are removed when guests stay!

Click on the small thumbnail pictures to "pop-up" an enlarged photo.  You may also see a full size picture of Sherman or Marco by clicking on the pictures of their faces in the title area (dog faces in windows).  Picture file sizes are kept small to minimize download time for those people using slow Internet connections.  There's an ongoing struggle between features, quality, and speed...

Keep in mind, Sherman and Marco sleep most of the day.  They're dogs -- that's their job!  Snapshots will "zoom in" to where the motion is detected.  Check at various times of the day to see "dogs in action".  You can also look at these pictures of a neat 360 degree "panoramic view" of either room.

That's the Chilly Dog bed!  It's a special bed with a loop and flap that allows the dogs to stay extra warm on those cool days!  You can see more information and pictures of Sherman and Marco's Chilly Dog.

Snapshots are only updated when motion is detected, so you may not see very recent pictures if the two rascals are snoozing and not moving!  The best time of day to check is in the evening, because the last pictures of the day usually have the dogs up with me, plus you can look through the much of each day's pictures on the archive pages.  The archive pages list the last 99 "thumbnail" pictures, so it's a very convenient way to look through the recent pictures to see if any are worth taking the effort to view the larger version.  Occasionally, someone will capture a particularly good or funny picture and we post it on the Favorite Pictures page!

The software used to take and upload the pictures to my Internet website is Homewatcher  (the basic version is free from homewatcher.com).  Homewatcher does all the hard work -- and even builds the web pages for you!  As for camera hardware, I use an Intel USB camera, which is extended to the dogs' room using USB extension cables purchased from Blackbox (blackbox.com).  

So, do you recommend Homewatcher?

Homewatcher is conceptually great software; however, the support is poor.  The software tends to buggy -- with a new wave of issues coming out (and being fixed) at each revision.  It's a shame, because Homewatcher goes so far in making very complicated webcam site operation very easy.  Perhaps in time Homewatcher will go beyond a "one man show" and become a viable software package with the corporate resources it deserves.  In the meantime, you need to be technically self-sufficient to operate it.

What Other Issues did you Encounter?

I did find a distance issue when I was running the USB extension cables over 50 feet.  This problem was solved by adding a powered USB hub on the computer side of the cabling.  (The hub sits in the closet where the cables go up into the attic).  The maximum length for USB 1.1 cables is somewhere around 100 feet.  I've also discovered the 16 ft. extension cables ordered from Blackbox (Part number USBR01-0016) work better than any other.  (Even when chaining several together).  The Blackbox extensions have a small box shape connector on one end.  I think they add some circuitry to reduce the resistance or something in these active extension cables.  In any case, I found the Blackbox cables work best when running distances over 20 or so feet.  I've even been able to eliminate the USB powered hubs on some runs when using the Blackbox USB active extension.

With all the free Internet service providers and free web hosting sites, you can start your own site for just the cost of a camera! 

Granted, I've made extensive modifications to this website, but you'll find the Homewatcher software and just about any PC camera device will let you create a webcam site! 

A few people have asked about using my Homewatcher templates, and the answer is of course!  Here is a zip file containing the basic layout of my HTML files (without all the frames and scripts). These templates are compatible with most web editors, including FrontPage. Concerning the image quality and sizing, my device source is set to 640x480, my small pictures are 80x60 and my large are 340x240.  I set compression to 80 for small and 90 for large.  

Today, you can choose from additional options with newer technology, including network cameras (that hook up directly to your Internet connection), wireless network cameras, cameras that have their own connection and mini-web site "built-in", live video (versus snapshots),and even newer cabling options for older cameras such as USB extenders that use standard network (CAT-5) cable with USB adapter plugs on each end! The best way to approach it to go to electronics stores that sell cameras and talk with the sales people to find the solution that works best for you. Before you buy, stop. CALL or e-mail the vendor (i.e. Logitech, Panasonic, etc.) whose camera you're going to buy. Talk with their sales and/or tech support people to see if the camera will work with YOUR PC and Internet setup, and what you'd need to actually make it work.

Enjoy your stay at Sherman and Marco's WebCam, and feel free to drop in anytime, or stop by and chat on the Italian Greyhound message board!

 THIS IS A "NORMAL" PICTURE OF THE DOGS' ROOM (CAMERA 1) TAKEN FROM THE SAME PERSPECTIVE AS THE WEB CAM.

HERE'S A VIEW OF THE DOG'S ROOM FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION.  YOU CAN SEE CAMERA ONE MOUNTED BESIDE THE TELEPHONE AND WINDOW.

THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE GUEST BEDROOM (A.K.A. DOG SUNROOM).  THE DOGS LOVE TO LAY IN HERE AND CATCH THE SUN FROM THOSE LARGE WINDOWS.  (YES, CAMERAS ARE REMOVED FOR GUESTS).

 SOME PEOPLE ASK ABOUT THE MORE PRACTICAL SIDE OF DOGS BEING HOME ALONE DURING THE DAY.  BOTH SHERMAN AND MARCO ARE LITTER BOX TRAINED.  IF YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE SEE OUR PAGE ON  HOW TO LITTERBOX TRAIN YOUR DOG

THE BOYS.

HERE YOU CAN SEE THE USB EXTENSION CABLES RUNNING UP INTO THE CEILING (LATER, I CAME BACK AND RAN IT INSIDE THE WALL).

THIS CLOSE-UP SHOT SHOWS A MUCH BETTER VIEW OF THE INTEL USB CAMERA MOUNTED ON THE WINDOW FRAME.  I SIMPLY USED A .99 CENT "L" BRACKET FROM HOME DEPOT TO MOUNT THE CAMERA.

THE OTHER WALL MOUNT CAMERA IN THE SUNROOM IS MOUNTED IN MUCH THE SAME WAY, EXCEPT I ADDED A PVC BUSHING TO DRESS UP THE HOLE IN THE WALL.