Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Oh Molly!

Miss Molly is a terror with toys. She is an outstanding dog toy demolish-er. I think she has finally outgrown actually eating them but famous last words ~ right? She loves stuffed toys. Petco sells small, inexpensive ones...relatively. They are still $5 for 2 of them. We bought her a couple last week and it wasn't but an hour or two before one had to be taken away. Did I tell you my daughter calls her the "Monster Dog" lol?

Molly especially likes stuffed toys that crinkle. I decided to try sewing some toys. Toys without too many seams. Or ears. Feet. Tails. Stuffing. Anything that can be ripped off. Or out. You know what I mean!

I bought some fleece throw blankets for $3 and some interfacing. Heaven knows I have plenty of salvaged squeakers. Then I saw these fun, brightly colored terry bath cloths. Wouldn't those be easy to toss into the washer when they get all dog-spitty? I bought two, just to try. 

I cut a piece of high-loft batting to fit. Washed the (crunchy sounding) inner plastic bag of a cracker sleeve and cut a piece to fit and sewed it all up with a squeaker inside. 

Presto! A fun, crinkly, squeaky dog toy!


Molly LOVED it! It squeaks! It crinkles! Whee!


Her newest, most favorite-ist toy ever! 

She also demolished it in about 6 minutes flat, pulling out strings of the terry-cloth.

*sigh* 

Back to the drawing board. Maybe the fleece will hold up better? Fabric ideas, anyone?

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox

33 comments:

Vicky said...

What about micro fibre cloths?

P.J. said...

I had high hopes for a happy tail ending. Hahaha.

Parsley said...

I am going to cut up worn jeans to make some toys. I figure it will last just a little longer.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Molly is adorable! Good luck with trying to find/make a dog toy that lasts more than 10 minutes!!!

Catherine said...

Great idea! Just gotta tweak the material...

Christine said...

Good luck finding a Molly-proof fabric. Hope it works out better for you than my attempts to cat-proof my knitting

Unknown said...

beautiful doggy you have there, so miscievious!fun story!

Billie said...

Have you tried Kevlar ;-)

butterfly said...

What fun , I think some where you can buy none tear toys , you may find them on the PC .

Claudette497 said...

I've given up! I cut fleece into strips and tie a few knots in each strip - no stitching, no seams, and Kuna gnaws on them happily. They the investment in time and treasure is pretty minimal, and they're the longest lasting fabric toys she's had.

Vickie said...

I was thinking exactly what Parsley said. Denim. Old jeans. Or canvas.

The Attic said...

Molly is so cute! We have a Lab which are mighty chewers. Gave up on fabric toys and we just buy Kong or Nylabones now.

Good luck!

Rhona said...

Awww...she's so cute!

Lonneke said...

I know the problem. I don't have one but TWO terrible toy destroying terrors. Even tennis balls aren't safe here.
But she looks very cute doing it though! ;)

I heard that a special kind of soft rubber is pretty teeth proof, but I don't know if they will want to play with that. Feels kinda different.

Robin in Virginia said...

Molly is a cutie! Good luck with your quest to find or make a long lasting toy.

Robin in Virginia

The Inspired Stitcher said...

How about polyester? You know, like the pants we used to wear in the 70's. You could cut three strips and braid it together. It's a thought. I feel ya, our Shelby destroys toys too.

Julie said...

You cant be cross with such an adorable lady.... can you? lol

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I'm thinking the demolishing is what she likes so much? :) So maybe you need to get sewing lady! and saving cracker sleeves.

Barb said...

Molly is cute. Must be a toy out there she can't destroy. As she gets older maybe she won't destroy the toys so easily.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Your post made me smile - I think we have her twin living with us - he destroys every toy he's given within minutes. He even rips the stuffing from his beds:-)

Mad about Craft said...

If you solve the problem of dog toys not surviving for more than 2 minutes we will go into business together. I have a Staffie with jaws of steel and I have the same problem as you.

Lesleyanne said...

Molly is gorgeous. I hope you find an indestructible toy soon.

Anna van Schurman said...

I think she needs more mental stimulation. There's a toy we have that requires the dog to slide covers and spin a wheel with a paw to get treats. The first time it took Stella 15 minutes. Now it takes her seconds. I think the toy destruction is a sign of boredom.
My uncle used to sell men's trousers made of fire hose material. Maybe that?

Kathy L. said...

My dog (Murphy) is the same way. Impossible to find a toy for him (except KONG) he loves that one because I fill it with peanut butter. But any soft toys last about 5 minutes or less. If you come up with more ideas please share. I'll be watching. (love your Molly she is soo cute)

Kathy

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Our Odin was a champion stuffed toy demolisher too and we finally resorted to just buying childrens toys at the thrift stores - much cheaper than anything you can get at a pet shop. He wasn't happy until he managed to get out every last bit of stuffing and THEN, at least to him, it was a perfect toy. I miss having slobbery goobery toy body parts being deposited on my lap in hopes they would be thrown - again.

Shebafudge said...

Any access to space suits? I would guess that they are pretty tough! Molly is SO gorgeous.

Rai Rai's Stitches said...

Can I just say that I LOVE your bed! I have been looking for that sort of bedframe for a long time.

Adorable Molly!!

moosecraft said...

Just finding your blog... and I have to giggle as I ADORE Bordie Collies! We had one when I was a kid... though, since she was from a pound, I'm assuming she was mixed with a more relaxed breed... she would round up basketballs in the back yard... and indoors she would play until your arm hurt from throwing her squeak toys... very energetic... but, Miss Molly seems to have more energy than a herd of Border Collies! Can't wait to hear what she gets into next... ;-) Don't know of a fabric that would survive... but, she might enjoy one of those Kong toys... maybe even the one that is a ball to put treats in? Border Collies need to "work" or they gets bored...

Valma said...

it seems Molly really feels better :D
hehehe, cute dog
did you try toys for lions ?? =D
xxx

Sara said...

No good ideas for you but she sure does look like a happy doggie!

Marsha said...

I've tried all kinds and price ranges and now get the cheapest I can find cause they all end up demolished.

Ele said...

your Molly is adorable! :)

Stitching Noni said...

What a great idea!!
Mitzi dog has a box of toys... but for some reason most of them get ignored except the old chewed up tennis ball that used to be Daisy's... go figure! Every now and then something else comes out the box though (for 5 mins) then she gets bored... might have to try your idea as the crinkling noise might be something she will like :o)