The Death of the Dollar Store Toy

I think dog and cat toys are adorable. Sales and marketing staff probably love me, since I am the one that tends to fall victim to those cute squeaky and chewy things near the cash register on routine errands to purchase food. I am especially vulnerable if I stray into a pet supply store anytime between Thanksgiving and New Years.

Cute fuzzy Santas and smiling snowman tug of war toys call to me. The assortment and variety is staggering. Is it just me, or does it seem the "pet toy" market has exploded in the last five or so years?? No matter -  a decision was made this holiday season, in the spirit of budget-smart shopping, that the dog and cat gifts would come from the local Dollar Store. After all, dogs and cats don't know the difference!

So this year, Lady got a $1.00 toy cheeseburger, and Lucky got the $1.00 stuffed hot dog. Lucy got a $1.00 string of fish dangling from a wand. Total pet expense for Christmas - $3.00. Awesome!

Until....

The after-Christmas sales came along. All those adorable red and green fuzzy toys were 50% off, how could a person resist??? Well, the full price bed for Lucy wasn't on sale, but it was so soft and wonderful, and its been so cold lately...

So this past New Year's weekend, Lady, Lucky, and Lucy got to open their surprises. There was a frog with elf stockings, plastic toys for playing in the snow, a new tennis ball, a crunchy Snowman (with the bottle inside) - and of course that great soft bed. Such fun!! 

Only Lucy won't touch her bed. It's been four days now and she hasn't set a toe in it. This is probably my fault. In my enthusiasm to show her how wonderful it was that first day (she was trying to play with those stupid dollar store fish), I picked her up and attempted to set her in it. She struggled against me and leaped out, sure that it was a trick of some sort. Now the bed sits soft and lonely and untouched in a chair. I'm sure Lucy thinks its some sort of evil fleece being that will swallow her whole if she dares get in. Oh well.

And guess what the favorite dog toy is?

A few hours after the gift opening extravaganza, I heard a suspicious sound coming from the living room. I realized I hadn't seen Lady and Lucky for awhile, so I went to investigate.

"What have we here?" I ask them. "Why, it looks like a disemboweled hot dog bun! Who did this?"

"Lucky may feel guilty, but I don't. What's the big deal?
I wonder if that hot dog has a squeaker that needs to get out."

I retrieved the squeaker and stuffing, and made a mental note to self - dollar toy stores are just fine for Christmas, as long as they don't contain squeakers. As for that bed, I'm thinking that if I put some catnip treats in it, maybe Lucy will check it out. Stay tuned....