Sammy Sacks {New Life for Torn Dog Toys}

I bet we all know a dog that 'kills' stuffy toys.  Well, apparently Sammy is one of those dogs.  I talked to our trainer about it and as it turns out 'gutting' or pulling out the stuffing and/or squeakers is a very instinctual behavior that is stronger in some dogs.  Katie didn't really ever go through this.  In fact, she even still has some of her puppy toys from five years ago.  So, I feel really unprepared for this whole experience with Sammy.

This is a typical scene in the house.  I'll spare you the pictures where the stuffing is everywhere and she's still pulling material out or ripping the fabric.  Dogs!  Does this count as eating for Tasty Tuesday over at Sugar the Golden Retriever?  Sammy sure thinks it does.

Being the dedicated dog momma I am, I would pick up the fluff, stuff it back into the toy, and sew the opening closed again.  I've done this so many times.  But over the last two weeks it's gotten to the point that I would 'fix' a toy and Sammy would have it ripped apart in a matter of minutes.  Argg!  She has even evolved to finding the sewn closure and specifically ripping that spot open.  She knows it's a weakness in the toy.  Argg again! 

So, what to do?  I had made a huge 'dead' toy pile on the dining room table and needed to either throw them out or reinvent them.  I don't like the idea of throwing them out -- feels like a lot of wasted money. 

So, here's what I did.  I went through the dead toy pile and pulled out a working squeaker.  Put it into the torn squirrel you see pictured and sewed him back together.

I took some left over home decorating weight fabric and cut a piece to accommodate the size of the toy.  Go ahead and put the right sides together and sew a double seam around three sides of the square.

And since I'm using fabric is a fun way, I'll be sharing this at Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.  Maybe it will help other dog mommas!

Now, turn the sack right side out.  And admire the cute elephants.  Notice I'm using brown colored fabric.  That should mask some of the dirt, slobber, fur since it will be living in a dogs mouth.

Yup, you guessed it.  The toy is now put in through the remaining open side of the sack.  I said a few words for Mr. Squirrel.  He's been a favorite toy of both dogs for some time now and I'm sad to see him go, but this should be a safer resting place.

Tuck the opening flaps inward, pin, and sew another double seam all the way around the sack.

Did I get a finish photo, nope.  Forgot.  Sammy nearly pulled the 'toy' out of my hands when I finished.  Did I get a photo with Sammy running around with her 'Sammy Sack' -- nope.  I was laughing way way too hard.  She's a clown. 

So far, this reinvention of soft toys has been a huge success!  Sammy and Katie both love trying to figure out what's inside and have no problem squeaking it.  They have used it as a tug toy between them rather roughly.  And I think I even saw Sammy laying down with it; she's probably scheming how to get to the 'guts'.  But, here we are on day four and the sack has survived!  That's victory around here!

I think more Sammy Sacks are in our future since we have a lot more soft toys to save.  And I think I might even use old jeans for the next ones since that fabric should be able to take the abuse.  Plus, it's reusing times two; once for the dead toy and once for the dead jeans!  I'll try and check in later in the week with the status of the toy and with a playing picture.

Do you know a dog that could use a Sammy Sack?

Mail Call {Giftie for Katie and Sammy}

Katie and Sammy won a doggy toy from Augie and Ti!!  Pretty darn exciting for them to get mail with their names of the box.  It even made our mail lady smile and laugh.  Love when something unexpected like that brings cheer!! 

If you have never been over to see Augie and Ti, then you are in for a real treat.  I laugh so hard over their dress up and silly antics!!  And yes, they are both golden retrievers so you can imagine why we are a bit partial!  Be sure to go say hi and prepare to laugh!

In the box, was the cutest stuffed donkey.  Think Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.  The pups also got really fancy dog treats (in the package next to the toy) and a mini calendar and sticker I claimed for myself :)

Once they stopped jumping up and down I presented them with the donkey.  And I still laugh every time on how they share their toys with each other.  I can't count anymore how many times I will catch them both happily playing with the same toy.  This was no exception.

They both hold the toy in their mouth and off they go.  And if one of the dogs drops the toy... then the other dog stops and holds still until the other dog grabs it again.  So darn cute!

And yes, there is some jumping.  Notice Sammy has her arms around Katie's neck and yet Katie still hasn't let go.

They played and played!  I can see donkey becoming a regular favorite in the cycle of toys they play with together. 

And just like this sticker from the package... we all want to send our own "licks of love" to Augie and Ti for such a fun giveaway!! 

And you know goldie licks are 90% slobber!  Enjoy!

Baby Sammy Stuffie

I want to share a quick little stuffie I made for my niece. 

I took a piece of that really plush fabric I had left laying around.  Put the right sides together and loosely sketched out a simple Sammy dog shape.

Cut out the shape and sew it together.

Flip it inside out, fill with stuffing or left over batting bits, close the hole and tie on a cute ribbon. 

Cute, right?

Sammy's First Day

Sammy's first day with us was nothing short of exciting. 

Here she is on the ride home.  Only a few whimpers.

First snuggle with Katie.  Guess her tail makes a good pillow for a tuckered out puppy.

Still amazed at how tiny she is and how quickly she falls fast fast asleep.

She is thrilled to play with toys.  Every one has to be nibbled and tugged at.  And we have already started the bait and switch.... as in if she is tasting something that isn't puppy approved we remove the bad thing and put a good thing in front of her.  All part of teaching her what is or isn't allowed to be chewed on.

Did I mention she sleeps a lot?  In the most adorable positions I might add!!  And I can't get enough of how much I want to kiss those paws!

She and Katie are getting along as well as we had hoped for a first day, although Katie is still not to fond of having a shadow all the time.  And I'm sure she could do without Sammy thinking her tail is a toy.  Here she has grabbed Katie's tail and is trying to drag it away.

Even with the jealousy, following, and tail tugging... Katie is slowly starting to realize that she and little Sammy are going to have a lot of fun playing together!

For breakfast and dinner Sammy has struck a pose of two paws in her dish to gobble up food.  I will have to try and catch a picture of this.  Did I mention we have been laughing, a lot?

She is really showing more and more of her personality.  I would describe her as laid back, curious, and stubborn.  Very fitting for this family. 

As day one wrapped up and I prepared for night time pee breaks... I was once again reminded of how amazing the world can be through puppy eyes.  Each and everything having entertainment value and being worthy of really checking out.

Yup, I'm enjoying every second!  Oh, and I wish I could send you puppy breath through smell-o-blogging... it's every bit as amazing as I remembered.

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Happy Moment #10: Nose Under Toy

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too!

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam

Mellow Yellow: Lego Sumo

Remembering lego's and the creativity they fostered = happiness!

Remember lego's? Well, I wandering into a Lego store last weekend and to my surprise it was a really fantastic place!! Their were a ton of unique lego displays (all a perfect kid height) and the sumo wrestlers and karate chopping guy were two of my favorites!!

The best part of the store was the back wall (which I am smacking my head that I didn't get a picture of) that held a zillion different shapes and colors of individual lego pieces. In hind sight, I think I would have given out lego pieces for a self made design as a wedding gift. How cute would that have been? You could even pick whatever colors matched your wedding!! I may still need to work this into a creative gift or party in the near future!

I have a few more lego creations to share through out the remainder of the week. What lego creation do you remember from earlier years?