Starting this week, DogTails – the weekly blog brought to you by DogWatch Hidden Fences – will begin highlighting the best of the pet-centric social media world.  In this post, we tell the stories of three pets who have become worldwide stars thanks to social media.  We love following these cats’ and this dog’s exploits on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and blogs, and we know you will too.

So, without further ado, we give you our “Star Pets of Social Media.”      

Maru the Cat

The equation is simple: cat + cardboard box + video camera = genius.  Maru, a male Scottish fold from Japan, is the star of a seemingly unending series of irresistible YouTube videos.  His YouTube channel has over 63,000 followers and his videos have been viewed more than 58 million times.  Not bad for a clumsy kitty!

If you are like us and can’t get enough of Maru, check out his blog.  (It includes English translations.) While it seems criminal to choose just one video, our favorite video of the moment is this slow-motion clip of Maru jumping out of – you guessed it – a box.

Sockington

Sockington the Cat

Maru may have recently eeked out a win over Sockington in “the battle for the internet’s favorite feline,” but the social media world still can’t get enough of this other cat sensation.

Sockington, a very proper-looking black and white rescue cat from Waltham, MA, has so far amassed over 1.5 million followers on Twitter.  His owner, Jason Scott, chronicles his cat’s thoughts and broadcast them to the ever-growing “Socks Army.”  Sockington loves food and naps, frequently shouts in all caps, and is surprisingly witty.  A recent tweet read: “HURRAH GIFT GIVING TIME may I present you with 3/4 of a mouse HEY I DO NOT APPRECIATE YOUR INSINUATIONS or the screaming for that matter.”

In addition to his Twitter feed, Socks also has a blog and a Flickr account filled with numerous photos of “the most popular cat on Twitter.”  As Sockington himself might say: “OF COURSE I AM THE MOST POPULAR nap time zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”

Tillman the Bulldog

Back in 2007, Apple created a commercial to show off their brand new iPhone’s impressive video viewing capabilities.  Which of the millions of YouTube videos did they choose for the commercial?  They choose a clip of Tillman, the skateboarding bulldog.  (See commercial here.)

Tillman skated to success thanks to this short clip.  His videos have garnered over 20 million views on YouTube, and, like every exceptional athlete, he attracted a sponsor.  Natural Balance Pet Foods tracks the travels of “Tillman and Friends” on their website.  The spokesdog has wowed crowds at the Rose Bowl Parade, on NBC’s “Today” show, and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where he debuted his newest sport – snowboarding!

Next week, we’ll continue our pet web theme and profile several popular pet-centric social media sites.  We encourage you to share your favorite sites on our Facebook page or via Twitter.  We’d love to hear what you think.  Until then, happy surfing!

Photo by Jason Scott via Flickr.