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Thursday, June 14, 2012

It Came as a Rat, but Left as a Rag

Alfie is a very destructive dog.  We are always on the lookout for toys that can withstand his concerted attempts to destroy.  Kongs are good, Megalast makes a bone that holds up well, and there's always Nylabone, but he never gets to have any stuffed or soft toys -- you know, the cute toys that are probably designed to suit the owner more than to please the dog.

Recently, however, we were in a doggie boutique.  Not a clothes for dogs boutique, thank goodness, but one that carried high-end toys and treats.  The young lady in the shop managed to convince us that Mighty Dog Toys could withstand Alfie.  Her boxer, whom she assured us is very destructive, can't tear them up.  The toys come in a range on the manufacturer's "Dura-Scale."  The highest they carried at the boutique rated a nine out of ten, "extremely strong - extremely durable."  So we hopefully plunked down $25 for an "extremely durable" stuffed gray rat.  There was no ranking for cuteness, which I admit would be subjective, but this would not have been a nine of ten on that scale.  Still, it was stuffed.

Day One of the Rat

Alfie loved it!  He wasn't too willing to share at first, but then decided it was okay if we threw the rat for him to retrieve. He carried it around constantly the first evening, and even placed it carefully by his bed when he went to sleep.

still Day One of the Rat

Day Two of the Rat, stuffing on the floor

So the rat made it through the first night.  By the next day, however, the rat's tail was gone and its poor little ears looked chewed.  Okay, we expected the tail and ears wouldn't last, but it was basically still in one piece.  A foot went next.  Alfie worked hard to pull the stuffing out of the little leg and was quite pleased with his efforts. That opened the floodgates.

Alfie had broken the Mighty Dog Toy code.  He'd show them mighty dog!  On the third day, I watched Alfie gleefully pull stuffing out of the rat's belly and toss it aside to pull out another batch. Soon there wasn't much stuffing left anywhere in the rat, but our trashcan held a good bit.

While three days doesn't seem like much for a toy that tells you on its hang tag to "RETHINK DURABILITY," it's a record for a stuffed dog toy at our house, so I guess the Mighty Dog Toy hype had some basis in fact.  Still, we won't be buying any more $25 stuffed playthings.  Because while the rat may have been "extremely durable," Alfie is extremely determined, and he never met a stuffed toy he couldn't beat.

Death of the Rat, a mere shell of its former self

25 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness - that is so funny (except for the price of the toy). Alfie is so cute - it looks like Alfie thinks that 25 dollars was worth it - just to conquer.
    Angie

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  2. Oops! Hope it was worth watching the fun! I have 3 dogs and shop for toys at Goodwill for them now. Have had my share of batting spread through the house too. LOL hurray for Mighty Dog and boo for the durability scale eh?

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  3. Oh, that's so sad (but so funny!) Alfie looks like the most beautiful dog in the world and like he's got the sweetest nature. But after seeing how he looks after his toys, I must be deceived! You wouldn't want to leave any shoes lying around xx

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  4. What's it all about... Alfie?

    Sorry, just couldn't help myself. He looks like a very loving dog. I have the same problem with my dog Buster. He knows better to ever get our other dog's toys, but every so often he will steal a towel if one is left out on the patio. My problem is that he EATS them! He will also devour a large rawhide bone in hours. Since I don't want to deal with emergency surgery... he is now only allowed biscuit bones.

    xoxo Bunny Jean

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  5. it looked sweet while it lasted. We have a few toys like that (end result) around the house, and our doggies still love them. Guess it's their smell on them! {:-Deb

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  6. Oh Alfie! We used to have a Lab like this. Whatayougonnado? You're right about the football mums being too early. Almost all my cut flowers are from the nursery! Black thumb. . .

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  7. Ha! You would think they would give a guarantee of some sort--like 5 days, lol. I can't believe the boxer referred to would have done less than your dog!! Alfie is a cutie!

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  8. my dog used to be the same with all his furry toys. now, i think he grew out of it. he's almost 15 years old!

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  9. This is hilarious. My dog has stuffed toys she drags around too. For some reason we call the babies. She even takes them outside with her. Your pooch is adorable...you should email this post to the dog toy company!

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  10. LOL- That is hysterical! Gotta love a dog like that- at least it wasn't a REAL rat! xo Diana

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  11. Ollie our choco lab is the same way with the stuffed toys! I probably would have been "talked into" buying one too and I am sure we would have had the same outcome....lets stick to regular old tennis balls and nylabones!

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  12. Oh no! The poor toy didn't have a chance.

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  13. What a beautiful dog! I don't know why they do that. They start out so cute and end up a mess. Bubba does the same thing. I'm always picking up stuffing from somewhere. They are so cute!

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  14. LOL! Funny story! Alfie is just extra playful is all, lol! :)

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  15. Soooo funny! Poor rat, Alfie just loved him to death! What a gorgeous dog and such a sweet face! The good thing is that it kept him busy for a little while! Like you, I'd pass on the $25.00 toys from now on but it was worth a shot!
    Rebecca

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  16. Soooo funny! Poor rat, Alfie just loved him to death! What a gorgeous dog and such a sweet face! The good thing is that it kept him busy for a little while! Like you, I'd pass on the $25.00 toys from now on but it was worth a shot!
    Rebecca

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  17. I have to say, those are the cutest photos ever! You can see the pride in Alfie's face as he holds his rat for the picture taking. Well, maybe it's not pride...it could be the twinkle of merriment at the thought of what he's getting ready to do to that rat (; My Malone is the same way. They seem to have the same thrill when "gutting" these stuffed toys. Maybe one day they'll make an Alfie-proof toy (:

    Just found your blog and became a follower...I look forward to more posts!

    xoxo
    Michele

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  18. That Alfie is quite the character with such determination! I would love to give that cutie a big hug! - Shelley

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  19. Oh....Alfie is so determined isn't he? I love the photos of him and his rat! It's funny because Spencer has a rat too. I'll take a photo and put it on my blog just for Alfie :) Maggie

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  20. ha. That's cute. My dog used to do that to squeaky toys. Thanks for sharing, liz

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  21. Man! I thought you were going to give me a good review of an animal my boxer couldn't tear up. DURN! We have the same problem! I paid $45 for a special orthopaedic bed for my Emme and she tore it up the next day. I NEVER get more than a day out of stuffed animals. Can you imagine the damage Alfie and Emme could do together? HA!

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  22. Ha! I love this post! He looks so happy with his little rat. Our Scout doesn't tear things up quite that quickly, but she takes the eyes out of any stuffed toys within seconds... presumably so that they can't escape? She likes to shake them too, which often results in clouds of stuffing flying around the room.

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