We Like: Plush Leo With Stuffies

May 13, 2009May 13, 2009

We Like: Plush Leo With Stuffies

plushleostuffie The Plush Leo from Canine Genius is a great toy. It’s a plush puzzle toy shaped kind of like a bowling pen and comes with 4 small plush toys(each with a squeaker) that you stuff inside it. It has three openings for the smaller toys to come out. Give to your dog and let him have fun figuring out how to get the toys out.

Once Saffron got the hang of it, we started stuffing as many of her small toys as we could fit in it. Sometimes she investigates it carefully from the outside finding every squeaker in the toys inside. Other times she pulls them out one at a time. And when she’s being beasty, she shakes it for all she’s worth and sends the toys inside flying.

It’s held up well. It should be noted, Saffron is pretty easy on her toys. And I’ve washed it with no problems.

Check out this previous post on the Brain Twister also from Canine Genius. It’s another favorite in our house.

December 20, 2008

DIY: Holiday Round-Up Of Gift Ideas

Here’s the collection of DIY projects I’ve written about recently that would make good, inexpensive presents this year when money is tight for so many.

PetProject hopes all of you are enjoying the season, that you & yours are healthy & happy, and that the coming year is filled with joy.

On with the projects!

Cat Toys:

Dog Toys:

Pet Beds:

Nest Bed
Bed From A Sweater (including my version)
Bed From A Suitcase
Knitted & Felted Bed
Hooded Pet Bed

Dog Sweater:

Small, No-Sew Sweater From A Sock

December 16, 2008December 3, 2011

DIY: 2 Braided Tug Toy For Dogs

Today, I’ve got a super simple DIY dog toy for you and it’s thrifty too. Yea! Braided tug toys are pretty durable since there are no seams to rip and no stuffing to come out. These two versions are even washable.

Fleece:

The first braided toy uses fleece. If you’ve got pieces long enough, you can use scraps. Otherwise, the tutorial this tutorial calls for 3 1/4 yards of fleece. Check the remnants table at your fabric store and keep an eye out for sales. If you want a wider braid, try four strands. Just follow these instructions on four strand braids(scroll down).

Pant Legs:

The second braided toy uses pant legs from old pairs of pants. You’ll need two pairs of pants. I think a large binder clip might be handy for when you’re hand sewing each end. An alternate way to finish the ends, might be to tie them off with twine by wrapping the ends a several times and knotting the twine. Easy and cheap!

December 4, 2008November 28, 2012

DIY: 2 Easy, No-Sew Cat Toys

Here are two different, super easy DIY cat toys that don’t require any sewing. The first tutorial is for those colorful felt feathers above. All you need is some wool felt in nice colors, some little jingle bells, and some cord. Here’s the template for the feathers. And you can watch a video of how to make them.

The second toy is so simple, but could be really cute depending on the little socks you get. You need some fun socks—I’d go with bright colors or colors of the same hue. And you need some dried catnip. Make a funnel out of paper, pour in enough catnip to fill it halfway, and tie the sock in a knot. That’s it.

If you need it here’s the tutorial. Martha Stewart glues on felt eyes and a mouth with non-toxic glue, but I’d skip that. They’re just going to fall off anyway and then there will be gross, sticky spots.

December 3, 2008