LAST MINUTE GIFTS FOR YOUR FAVORITE FURBALL

I love making my little dog, Tuffy, toys.  The Hubby thinks he has way too many but Tuffy loves them all, everyone!  Here are 2 I found today that I think will be in his Christmas Stocking Christmas morning.

The FETCH bone above comes from the KrisKnits blog

This talented person can also be found on Raverly.

How about this cutie?  It is another great pattern from Lion Brand.  Click on the picture to find the pattern.

Sometime during the last year I made Tuffy a bone from an embossed felt square (you can see more of Tuffy by scrolling down the right side of this page and clicking on his picture).  I just drew a bone shape on some paper and used it as the pattern.  I cut 2 pieces, back and front, and sewed them together leaving enough room to turn and stuff with a squeaker and some pollyfil.  Then after stuffing it I sewed up the stuffing hole.  I was surprised that it didn't tear up but it is still in pretty good shape.  

I also made several amigurumi toys of various different animals from this pattern book above.  Just click on it to find where to get it (it wasn't a freebie).  I find they make the perfect size toy for a smallish dog and are usually easy to put a squeaker in.  Tuffy has to have squeakers!  There a lots and lots of free patterns for amigurumi out there,  Just try Binging or Googling for them and also check out what Raverly has.  When making any toy for dog or child, always remember to keep them safe and not use things that could become a chocking hazard or that might be toxic.

Oh and if you love to bake try making your little fur-buddy some cookies or baked bones.  I use a recipe I found online that has pumpkin in it.  Pumpkin is very good for there digestive system.  Tuffy loved them also.  I like it that I can make them just the right size for him.   I divide the dough into 3 portions and freeze it.  That way I can bake a couple dozen at a time and they won't get stale.

This is the recipe I use:

        
Cleo’s Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons dry milk
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 cups brown rice flour *
1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin to smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and dried parsley (if using, optional). Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (can use the brown rice flour) and if dough is still rough, briefly knead and press to combine.

Roll dough between 1/4 – 1/2″ – depending on your dog’s chew preferences, ask first – and use biscuit or other shape cutter to punch shapes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as you go. Place shapes on cookie sheet, no greasing or paper necessary. If desired, press fork pattern on biscuits before baking, a quick up-and-down movement with fork, lightly pressing down halfway through dough. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully turn biscuits over, then bake additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on rack before feeding to dog.

* Brown rice flour gives the biscuits crunch and promotes better dog digestion. Many dogs have touchy stomachs or allergies, and do not, like many people I know, tolerate wheat.

Makes up to 75 small (1″) biscuits or 50 medium biscuits

Please note: This is not professional medical advice. These biscuits are a healthy everyday treat, and useful for a dog with a sensitive stomach, or minor digestion issues. If your dog is showing any signs of serious distress, remove all food and contact your veterinarian immediately.- See more at: http://simmertilldone.com/2009/10/07/retriever-retriever-pumpkin-eater/#sthash.MzWWyVqJ.dpuf

There are so many things that we can do for our wonderful pets and they do so appreciate it.  Anytime they get attention it is a gift to them.

Amigurumi Toys

I can't put into words the wonder and excitement that comes into a little ones eyes when they are given a new toy.  That also goes for furry little ones as well as human little ones.  Today I finished a new toy for my little furbaby Tuffy.  He knew it was for him and could hardly sit still while I put the final stitches in to secure the last tusk.  Yes I said tusk.  The toy is a walrus.

Tuffy and I call him Wally Walrus.  He is about 8 inches long and has a squeaker in him as do most of Tuffy's toys.  Tuffy has over a dozen toys and all but a few have squeakers in them. I have made several Amigurumi toys for him and they seem to be just the right size for him.  I use the patterns in Vanna's Choice Easy Crochet CRITTERS.  It has 10 amigurumi designs in it that feature Vanna's Choice yarns by Lion Brand Yarns.  The pattern book is put out by Leisure Arts.

I love to knit or crochet doll clothes and stuffed toys/dolls and have made many through the years.  I wish I had taken pictures of all that I did but unfortunately didn't think to do so until recently.  Here is a picture of a couple of toys I made for Tuffy last year and you can see they are well loved and played with but it gives you an idea of how well the patterns from the above book work for dog toys. 

If you can't tell it is the monkey and the alligator from the above book.  I didn't think that the toys would make it more than a week or two but they have lasted about 9 months so far.  They get lots of wear and tear even though I continually remind certain persons that they weren't made as a tuggy toy (and I had to sew a new ear back on monkey, also gator doesn't have bumps on his back anymore, lol).  As I stuff the critters I also put in a squeaker which comes in a package of several that are made by KONG as replacement squeakers.  I found mine at PetSmart.  The squeakers really hold up well chew after chew.  The eyes and noses I have put on with a sharpie permanent marker because I fear that Tuffy might hurt himself on any plastic kind of eye/nose and if I would stitch it on it wouldn't stay long at all because he likes to pull at any thing like that.  I have also washed all his toys in the washing machine and dried them in the dryer with no ill effects to the squeaker or the toy.

Believe it or not these little amigurumi toys are perfect for giving for baby showers or anytime.  Think how cute they would be in an Easter basket.  They are small enough that they might fit into one of the really big plastic eggs that are on the market today.  I really have fun making them and giving them as gifts to all my favorite little ones.

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