Kyjen toys take pressure off immobile Dog Mommy

A leg injury two weeks ago put me off my feet for 10 days. Not used to me just “sitting” for any length of time, my paw-bearing posse began punishing me when I was unable to orchestrate their usual activities on the days I was home. J.J. and Willis thought that my time in their presence should consist of them pouncing all over me, playing with them, constantly taking them outside and taking them anywhere in the car. My being home was not focused on their entertainment but on their Dog Mommy’s recovery.

Having suffered two days trapped inside except for potty breaks, the boys began to get restless, irritable and discontent. None of their stage acts were luring me to hobble up and participate in their canine fun. When not given the attention they hoped for, they started behaving like spoiled monsters. Fuzzy, four-legged underwear snuck by me meaning that one of the dogs had been rooting through the laundry hamper. A roll of toilet paper with shredded ends was splayed in my hallway. They dug at the rug in the foyer until Willis was able to clench a loose end and unravel my beautiful foyer rug into spaghetti-like strands on the floor. Constant nagging and bickering between them caused me to cringe with every growl and bark. They were bored and they expected me to fix it ~ NOW!

Finally, an idea . . . the Kyjen interactive toys that I sell in my online boutique (www.shoppupfiction.com) advertise that they keep dogs’ minds stimulated, improve problem solving skills and keep them busy. I immediately got a Kyjen Hide and Seek Dog Toy from my supply shelf. Hide-A-Squirrel, a Hide-A-Bee and a Hide-A-Bird are three versions of plush interactive Hide and Seek Dog Toys. I chose the box containing a soft, brown bird house with a green roof and three colorful squeaky toy birds for J.J. and Willis.
I introduced J.J. and Willis to their new toy praying it would curtail their path of destruction through the house. I danced the birds around making them squeak. J.J. and Willis were intrigued. They curiously watched every move while I crammed the birds in the two holes in the bird house. Two cold, wet noses immediately dove in the house followed by frantic digging.

Willis’ impatience overtook him when he didn’t get the birds fast enough. Who needs the birds anyway when he can destroy the whole house? He chomped a corner of the house, birds inside, and shook his head ferociously until the birds “flew” out of the house. Then he was confused about what toy he was supposed to be playing with. He quickly moved on to the closest toy or bone he could find leaving the pieces to Hide -A-Bird scattered on the floor.

J.J. approached more analytically. Unsuccessful digging the birds out, he circled the house stalking the birds inside. He inspected the hole the birds went into and took a peek inside. He repeated the sniffing, digging, circling, stalking and peeking three or four times. He crept up to an opening, jammed his snout in and emerged with a colorful plush bird to flaunt. He dropped the bird near me bouncing in circles excitedly waiting for his kudos. “Yeah, J.J.! Good boy!” He returned to the fuzzy house to do the hunt again with Bird #2 and Bird #3. Once the bird house was empty, J.J. brought the birds to me to put in again.

The Kyjen Hide and Seek Toys are well made and sturdy. The birds are replaceable if mangled during rowdy play or by a dog ripping out the toy’s cotton guts, like Willis does. This toy can also stimulate some dogs’ natural instincts to plot their attack like J.J. did. The Hide and Seek Toys are available in several sizes: junior, medium, large and jumbo; but, it is hard to find a place that offers all choices. Prices are reasonable for a four piece toy at $11.00 to $18.00.

I mistakenly expected that the interactive toy(s) would be a great pet sitter to entertain my dogs for hours. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “interactive” as “mutually or reciprocally active.” I then realized interactive dog toys are about the dog interacting with the owner, not the dog interacting with himself. Hide-A-Bird will occupy dogs and eliminate boredom, plus develop his intelligence and puzzle-solving skills with the interaction with the owner. You show the dog how to play; your dog watches, listens and learns; and then the playing begins. It is what it is . . . a dog toy - one that all doggies should have in their toy basket. Ours is definitely a keeper for J.J. and Willis.

Wags and wiggles until next time . . . . .

You can e-mail Rachel Pelizzari at rachel_pelzz@hotmail.com.