Wednesday, October 8, 2014

The Purple Toy


"Go get your purple toy."  When I say these words, our dog is overcome with joy.  


She will look at me, cock her ears and wag her stub of a tail.




Then she will dash through the house in a mad frenzy, searching every room on the main floor, or racing down the stairs to check our lower level.  Sometimes she comes back looking puzzled.  I send her off again with the sentence, "Go find it - bring me your purple toy.”  Usually she will come back with it.




Our dog would not win any awards for obedience. She knows all of her commands, but quite frequently she will decide it is worth the consequence to not “stay” or “come” when told.  Especially if a deer is nearby. She does have a considerable grasp of the English language though.

“Are you hungry? Is it dinner time? Ready to eat?” These are all phrases that she comprehends, even if they are spoken without inflection and at any time of the day. The human members of my family will sometimes ask each other, “Have you F- E- D the D - O - G?”  But it would seem that our dog has learned to spell - although I suspect that if we substitute the wrong letters for the words, she might still think we are spelling about her dinner.


What is special about the purple toy? It is made of indestructible rubber - apparently deliciously chewable, with a hollow core that can hold some kibble or a smear of peanut butter. It slurps and smacks as it is being chewed, and must be challenged for hours to give up that last little taste of peanut butter.  We have bought other similar dog toys over the years - but none seem just as special as this one.  Unfortunately, we no longer remember the make of this dog toy, and we have been unable to find a replacement. It is amazing it has held up as well as it has for almost a dozen years - I just hope it never gets lost!




Sometimes the dog will bring us her toy without being asked.  If I open the peanut butter jar when she is around, off she goes on her mad dash.  If she can't locate the purple toy, she sometimes returns with one of the hollow marrow-bones that we have given her.  She stands there with a pleading look in her eyes, until I hold out my palm and she delivers it right to my hand. 


Then she begins to salivate, as she waits for me to fill the center with peanut butter.




It is fun to see her so happy.  


In a September post, I mentioned we needed to buy a new dog bed.  I think she is pretty happy with the one we purchased!


Have you ever seen a dog toy exactly like this one?  

We have had this purple dog toy for over a decade - and don't remember where we bought it.

Any idea where we could buy another one?



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18 comments :

  1. I love your dog! There was an interesting story on 60 Minutes last Sunday about dogs and their ability to understand language - they really are very smart. Your purple toy sounds like a "Kong" but I haven't seen that exact style. We have a few that are the same material and can be filled with peanut butter.

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    1. Wish I'd seen it - maybe someone if my family taped it. I will have to check and see! Unfortunately, it is not a KONG brand of toy ... Same material, but for some reason it just seems more fun for her to chew than her kongs.

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  2. Aw, your dog is adorable! Not sure where you might find another purple toy, though. Sorry. :(

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    1. Thanks Karen - we also think that she is adorable, and everyone always describes her as very sweet.

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  3. It looks like a Kong toy, but I couldn't find it on their web site. Sorry!
    Isn't it inspiring how much joy they can get out of such a simple thing? A philosophy we could all benefit from. Maybe that's the secret to happiness. A little peanut butter in a toy . . .

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    1. Thanks for trying to find it Diane! Unfortunately, it is not a Kong. And yes, the simple pleasures ...
      And actually - peanut butter in or on anything can make me pretty happy. You may be on to something!

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  4. Just the other day we were watching a documentary on how dogs are becoming more like human beings...A cute story.....I can see this as story book for kids!

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    1. I wonder if it was the Sixty Minutes episode mentioned in the comments above? Thanks Ish - and it's true - our dog would make a wonderful character in a children's book. Our cat, too!

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  5. Super smart puppy! ... and obviously well loved! Her new bed looks comfy!

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    1. If it was bigger, her bed might be in the running for the most comfortable one in the house now!!

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  6. I smiled through this whole post. Our sweet Izzy has a few toys that he loves too. One is a yellow dinosaur ( semi indestructible) and I am in the same boat as you. Unfortunately I can't find a replacement either. Hoping you find one soon. I will keep my eyes open for it. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop xo

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    1. Thanks Katherine - I will be on the lookout for a yellow dinosaur dog toy as well! I always find good ideas at your Favorite Things blog hop! Thanks for hosting it!

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  7. My daughter is a frequent visitor to pet stores. She has a black lab that is spoiled rotten. I will show her this picture with the instructions if she is to ever find one pick it up for me and I will send it to you. On another matter I have some great information for you email me at rm29303@gmail.com when you get a chance. Talk soon!

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    1. Rena - that is so kind of you!! It has been mistaken for a Kong - which I know for a fact it is not. We have tried kongs, but the plastic is different. I'm curious now - I will email you! :)

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  8. I believe I've heard these referred to as a 'kong'. My parents dog had one and I have seen them in most pet stores.

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    1. Hi Delores, As I just told Rena in a comment, unfortunately the toy is not a Kong. The material it is made of is a bit more pliable, but just as indestructible as a kong.

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  9. Search amazon for: PetSafe Busy Buddy Chuckle Dog

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    1. Oh my gosh! This is it!!! Thank you so much, Padraig, for telling me where to find it. I just ordered one, and my dog says thank you, also!!

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