The Owner’s Side

Everyone has their security blanket, right? For kids, it might be an actual blanket or a cherished toy. For adults, it could be a phone or the remote control. For Daisy, my Golden Retriever, it’s a slightly grubby but much-loved teddy bear she carries around everywhere. But this faith in her teddy bear was severely tested one day, and I (blame it on my cleanliness obsession) was the perpetrator.

I noticed Daisy’s teddy bear, Mr. Cuddles, was looking a little worse for wear. Dusty, worn, probably bacteriated, you get the idea. Daisy looked so adorable carrying it everywhere; I thought her bear deserved some pampering too. In my defense, a run in the gentle cycle seemed like a good idea at the time. Mr. Cuddles needed freshening up (and frankly, my nose needed a break).

So I put Mr. Cuddles in the washing machine. Seeing Daisy’s unsettled glance as her beloved bear disappeared into the washing machine, I tried to assure her with calm words. Daisy watched me, her liquid golden eyes flickering between me and the washing machine, her tail tucked low.

Once the washer started to rumble, Daisy’s concern mounted. She stared at me, approaching the washing machine hesitantly, then back at me. I could see her cotton tail deflate a little with every tumble of her beloved bear. The guilt hit me when Daisy let out a soft whimper, laying her head on her paws with a resigned sigh.

Daisy’s Dramatic Dominance

You humans simply DON’T GET IT, do you? That was MY MR. CUDDLES in that WHIRLY TRAP! MY protector, MY comforter, MY friend! I’m used to handling adversities, but THIS? This was a BETRAYAL!

As I watched him getting tossed and turned in that water-filled glass chamber, I asked myself, “Why? Why, human? Why would you DO THIS to poor Mr. Cuddles?” It was clear to me — my human doesn’t understand attachments. How could she? She has never chewed a toy to sleep.

So I sat there, my worst fear unfolding in front of my very eyes. The worse my human’s garment-muncher treated Mr. Cuddles, the more my trust wore off. I whimpered. I cried. I barked. But it was in vain. Nothing stopped the monstrous machine’s relentless torment of Mr. Cuddles. After that, I couldn’t bear to look.

My loyalty won over my anger, and I stayed put near the washer. One could say out of hope, but more out of solidarity for Mr. Cuddles. We were in it TOGETHER. Me on the outside, Mr. Cuddles on the inside. WHY, human? WHY?

The Happy Ending

Crisis resolution at The Hungry Puppy

Heartbroken by Daisy’s disconsolate peccadillos, I knew I couldn’t let this stand. Sheepishly, I did the only thing I could think of to mollify my beloved, teddy-less Retriever — off to The Hungry Puppy. They always have just the right things to fix my dog-crisis situations!

Once there, I headed straight for the shelves stocked with dog toys. With Daisy’s love for Mr. Cuddles in mind, I picked out the absolutely cuddliest stuffed bunny available. The Mary Meyer FabFuzz Bunny was soft, perfectly sized, with a twinkling look of friendliness.

When I brought the bunny home, Daisy’s eyes immediately grew wide with curiosity and anticipation. The moment she got a whiff of the bunny’s fresh, soft fluff, Daisy’s demeanor changed. Her tail began wagging furiously, seeming to create a small breeze in the room. She took her new bunny in her mouth with reverence, validation reflected in her eyes. She looked like she just found a new best friend.

Shortly after that, Daisy retired to her favorite spot with the FabFuzz Bunny. There was an air of peace when she started to chew it slightly, her seal of affection. And just like that, all was right in the world again.

Crisis averted. Bunny adopted. Dog no longer hates me (and now I know — some things don’t need a wash).

The Hungry Puppy knows exactly what your pet’s heart desires, just as they did for Daisy. Visit them at https://www.thehungrypuppy.com/ for a wide variety of pet toys — because sometimes, the best apology comes in the form of a soft, cuddly bunny!

• 🐕 On-site Dog Park — run free, be forgiven
• 🦴 Premium treats — because four-legged pals deserve some pampering
• 🏪 In-store shopping — Bring your pup for the full experience
• 💚 Lots of love — We get it. We’re dog people too.