Chewapalooza

Somebody managed to un-do the plain knotted loops, most likely a joint effort. No big deal - just retie. In any case, looks like Yofie won that round.

How about one regular braided with two tug ends and one just plain loop knotted? That'll take care of the I-want-the-one-the-other-one-has scuffles and keep the cost down. I don't recommend spending too much on the first order. Truly dedicated chewers will do damage* eventually.

We're beginning to think early food issues could indicate which dogs might eat the toy. Shugee (pic with Scoopy below) had been on the road a while judging by his state of neglect when he arrived at our gate. He still - after a year - bolts his regular food, and we have to say, "Take it nicely," with every treat, or it's, "Oh well, didn't need that finger anyway."

On the other paw, Scoopy is an extremely picky eater. He's never swallowed any toy. Shred, mangle and/or unstuff whatever's handy, all over the house - yes - but he does have enough sense to spit out pieces.

So, your guess is still as good as mine, however, don't hesitate to ask questions: MarthaJones1@aol.com I don't open mystery mail, please use Toy as your subject line. Stay tuned for more reports and pics.

*Also see "Newer" down the page ... super-duper tough stuff is now available, plus the UKOs have landed ...

A percentage of B & E's referral orders goes to Boston rescue (link on test page). And, now we have another celebrity endorsement! Wade was abandoned in a garbage dump - one leg had to be amputated due to a severe infection caused by a wire wrapped around a foot. After the story appeared in several newspapers Wade received speedy-recovery wishes and gifts from all over the country. His medical expenses, including heartworm treatment, were covered almost immediately. Most donations came with instructions to use for someone else in need once Wade was up and at it. He is that, great pics here: http://www.baytownhumanesociety.org/ann_wadeupdate.htm

Wade's fans always want updates ~ if that link doesn't go straight to the May 29 page, you might have to backtrack for the Chewapalooza pics.

Look closely, top right, stump has healed without complications. Mention Wade with your order to benefit the next in line.

If you support another nonprofit group, and/or want to make a special promotion effort on your own, but don't want to go into dealer production, let me know. I'll add the link, and/or other contact info to the beneficiary list. Accounting details/other questions: MarthaJones1@aol.com

*Nearly indestructible means nothing lasts forever. If your dog can kill a Kong, use that as a measure of Chewapalooza durability. So far, Scoopy's only managed to get one chewed through enough to call it real damage. Mostly he just works the knots loose. Spends hours and hours every day chewing on something. Even has one broken canine tooth (the long pointed, also called cuspids or dogteeth), which I suspect happened trying to escape a crate. Scoopy does not like crates, borrowed one from the shelter the day we brought him home, then replaced with a nice new one. Nice big toy box is more like it.

Be sure to check out Darla's albums: http://www.swirlyhands.com/darla/albums.html, started even before she'd arrived at the new folks' home. Yes I am prejudiced but it's just about impossible to top a Boston pup for pure precious.

About teething pups, a Boston in this case, from an order inquiry e-mail exchange: Nothing lasts long for teething, Kongs (hard rubber, several different shapes and sizes) are pretty good. Might ask your vet too. I'm really not up on the latest for puppies, even though one about 4 months old recently moved himself in after appearing at my back gate loaded with ticks, dehydrated and ravenous. He'll be staying, watch for a link about the black cross drawn on his head.

Shugee (Sugar Baby) hasn't done any Chewapalooza damage yet, but then Scoopy has at 10 or 12 of those and a million other toys for Shugee to steal before he settles down to concentrate on one.

This goes on and on and on, on breaks between a vast repertoire of "regular" wrestling styles.

I mentioned teething in my answer because a friend's Boston pup swallowed a piece she'd torn off. It came out whole about 12 hours later. Bostons have some of the most powerful jaws going so I wasn't surprised. I was also happy to report the safe passage. As with any toy, you have to keep a close eye on a pup just as you would a two-legged baby.

Speaking of which ... check out an outstanding (don't mind saying so myself) collection of HUGE dogs up close and pawsonal with itty bitty babies, and a few more combos in between. http://www.therealmartha.com/ChowBaby/index.htm

Dumping animals using the "new baby" excuse happens every day. Pics, and adjustment stories are proof there's absolutely no valid reason to believe ridiculous old wives tales. Unfortunately, a few people lack the common sense it takes NOT to leave a baby or any child unattended with a strange animal, so yes, we will still see the rare horror story.

Bergamot & Emrys'
Boston Terrier Toy Test Challenge

UKOs come in peace to be chewed to pieces all to satisfy our earthling masters' need to gnaw.

However, experiments with the new heaviest gauge available are promising. It's too thick to braid but makes dandy fat knots. Can be tied into a loop, or several knots in the middle of a three or four foot length, and/or at each end. Usually, and I do emphasize usually, the knots come undone before they can be chewed up - tie 'em back up and you have a brand new version for a whole new "kill." The undoing is half the fun, setting the "snake" in motion. Every dog loves the floppy quality. In fact that's exactly how the original Chewapalooza came to be. Scoopy "The Toyminator" shredded a flying disk, leaving only the rubber rim. After weeks and weeks of single-minded dedication to gnawing and tugging, the rubber had only a few nicks to show for wear.

Scoopy is a shelter rescue who was dumped for eating furniture, blinds and a car interior. He still chews anything in sight and now has two equally delinquent coconspirators. The Princess Emma Lee, a Westie mix (all terrierist), loves snatch and run, especially for purposes of tormenting her brothers, "This chewie is MINE! So is this one and that one ... ." Large hound mix Shugee eats anything that doesn't eat him first and frequently demonstrates how easily the nontoxic pieces he manages to mangle move through his system.

All told, the home gang destroys a few feet of rubber per month. In a "normal" household, one Chewapalooza will last for months. Puppy needle teeth do pretty fast damage, at the same time, rubber is a great pacifier. One report also states Chewapalooza kept one little girl peacefully busy while recovering from her spay, and now, "She’s happy to sit down and chew her knots instead of holding toys in her mouth and looking at us woefully because she wants to play fetch."

To order the heaviest gauge black, add $2.50 postage to the total number of rubber feet x $3. See order form for more info: http://www.therealmartha.com/cheworderform/index.htm

New size "regular" Chewapalooza, braided medium-heavy gauge (red), is also $3 per foot which includes labor. Again, no point in spending too much, five or six feet total makes enough of a gnawable body and includes tug loop(s).

Size comparison to regular medium size green, and to show nobody cares if knots are plain ol' squares or any kind of braid. All gauge sizes can be ordered by the foot. The four-ply braid looks best for a gift, plus it's a more durable "puzzle."

This is about 10 feet, with a looped knot in the middle and two ends to share - ha ha, what a silly thought, everybody knows little princesses have first possession rights.

So what if it's almost bigger than she is, no royal bother Shug having at least 50 pounds on her either.

Scoopy is considerably less reluctant than Shug about challenging Her Highness ~ dang good knock-down, drag-outs happening several times a day.

Above episode continued: http://www.therealmartha.com/Chewapalooza2/index.htm plus more Boston sweeties, and the answer to why so many Bostons featured.

UKOs come in all kinds of wild shapes and sizes, none of which is predictable because they really do take on a life of their own. Prices start at $5 - $15 (and up for extra large to huge), plus another $1.50 - $3 postage when added to any Chewapalooza order. $5 will cover most combo orders, although order, but doesn't have to be a combo fabric/rubber toy. Rubber loops don't stay attached forever anyway. I know that's all a little confusing, feel free to ask questions or tell me how much you want to spend and I'll customize. Can't promise any exact specifications, each toy is unique.

Pics of past and in stock incarnations: http://www.therealmartha.com/UKOsDogToys/

World-famous toy testers in action!

Bergamot Fury and Emrys the Nemesister, a.k.a. the Beasts, http://littlebeasts.com/ ~ make time to visit, guaranteed smiles all over.

http://www.boston-terrier-challenge.com/gallery/gallery-uko-dog-toy.html ~ more pics

The official report: Bergamot & Emrys loved how floppy it was. Emrys really wanted to play I-smack-you-in-the-face-tug with it but understandably as the designated smackee Bergamot is not a big fan of that game. As a fetch toy B & E really liked how easy it is to grab. It is fun to run with because of the floppiness. Mostly, the Beasts found it deep-down satisfying to hold it with their paws and gnaw on it. They hunkered down and concentrated on precisely chewing the knots and trying to untie them.

http://www.boston-terrier-challenge.com/tests/uko-dog-toy.html ~ complete review and ratings

Mr. Rusty Miller of Houston, TX, in a word, "Grrrrrrr."

Kitty versions come with yarn unless otherwise requested.

"Nice as mice."

Mom reports, "He'll start batting them around, then look embarrassed that he got caught playing and leave the room. But, every day when I come home, the toys are in another place."

Michele's Bark-n-Purr Store & Embroidery
Unique pet beddings, durable toys, embroidered shirts, hats, totes, decor pillows, squeakers, catnip and more
Design your own! Special orders welcome! Enter my monthly drawing!
Sales benefit various animal welfare organizations, rescues and shelters.

Bergamot & Emrys' Boston Terrier Toy Test Challenge

Rating system: worst 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 best

Bergamot & Emrys'
Boston Terrier Toy Test Challenge