Christmas Catnip Antics

     Lil Mac Vida demonstrates the proper response to a catnip toy.  This is Mac's first Christmas and he is clearly in the holiday spirit.  Nothing can rival the uninhibited exuberance of a kitten on a catnip high.
     Mac will be our guest reviewer for the Fun Kitty Twist and Treat toy by Premier.  He will get down to business as soon as he finishes mauling the octopus.

REVIEW: Kong, King of Toys

     If I had to choose one toy to bring with my dog to the proverbial desert island this would be it.  Simple in design but extremely versatile, the Kong created its own niche and then quickly filled it.  It can be a puzzle, throw toy, chew toy, training tool and all around canine mind expander, suitable for the singleminded fetcher and the more complex problem solver.  In my opinion no dog should be without one.
     The shape could have been inspired by Bibendum, the Michelin Man (seen above with two Kong toys).  Indeed the toy was invented as a result of a man's discovery that a car part made a better chew toy for his dog than a rock.  According to the Kong website (http://www.kongcompany.com/) production on the original Kong toy began in 1976 after developing a "super- strong rubber formula."  The original or Classic Kong in its tomato red color is the progenitor of what is now a very extensive line of dog and cat products.  The Kong toy itself has also diversified into different colors according to usage- black for heavy chewers (Extreme Kong), light blue swirl for puppies (Puppy Kong), purple swirl for older dogs (Senior Kong), orange for water fun (Aqua Kong) and royal blue (Kong Blue) for veterinary distribution. The Classic is available in 5 sizes while the other versions offer 3- 4 sizes to accomodate its users.   Each Kong comes with a user guide and information on stuffing the toy. 
     For my dogs the secret of the Kong toy is in the stuffing.  If thrown, it would be chased and retrieved by Xena but frankly there are other toys for that (because we aren't on the desert island as yet.)  Neither of my dogs are big chewers but they will chew on a stuffed Kong.  Because that holds true for most dogs the Kong is a godsend.  If you're dog is occupied by chewing on an approved toy he/she is not chewing on something else.  The something else could be anything from a kennel pad, various household items, clothing, furniture or whatever the dog decides to experiment with in order to pass the time.  Throw a stuffed Kong into your dog's crate before you leave the house and you will have a dog who is pleasantly occupied until he or she curls up to sleep to await your return.  You will also have a dog who will willingly use a crate because that is where the stuffed Kong always seems to show up. 
     There are other strategies besides use in the crate that can be employed to get the most out of your Kong.  There is even a machine (KONGTIME by Dogopolis)  that will fling stuffed Kongs out to your dog at intervals specified by you so that your dog will be occupied all day long.  Sadly, I think this clever adjunct to the Kong toy is no longer available.  Alternatively, you can always hide several stuffed Kongs around the house for your dog to discover.  Your dog can use his or her foraging instincts to find each Kong cache.  Just make sure that you practice with your dog beforehand and also make sure that the Kongs aren't hidden where he or she has to destroy something to access them.

The Kong section at Petco

    
     Stuffing the Kong is key.  I prefer to use some of my dogs' regular kibble to stuff, blocking the hole with a small Milk Bone or other biscuit treat.  A bit of freeze dried liver stuck in the hole at the other end adds a little variety.  There are loads of ideas on the Kong website regarding stuffing so I will not list them here.  If your dog has a sensitive stomach make sure that he or she can tolerate your choice of stuffing.  Likewise, if your dog has a weight problem you don't want to add extra calories to his diet in the form of Kong stuffing.  To prevent this you can take some kibble out of his or her daily allotment to use.  You can even feed your dog his meals out of a Kong or two (or three).
     My reviewers rate the Kong Excellent as to playability.  The stuffed Kong is a daily staple for them.  Safety is also Excellent if the Kong is chosen properly for your dog's size and force of chewing.  Always supervise your dog when introducing a Kong for the first time to make sure your dog will not chew through the toy or is not able to swallow it whole.  Durability of the Kong is Excellent, again if chosen properly.  If your dog is a major chewer the Extreme Kong is your best bet.  I have personally witnessed a French Bulldog chew the top off of a Classic Kong.  Know your dog and be vigilant. 

     For Portia "it's all about Kong" according to her owner, Donna Davis

     'Tis the season to purchase some cool toys for your pet.  Get thee to a pet store or an online retailer and bring a Kong into your dog's life.  It's a "must have" for every dog.

                    Xena in her crate with her Kong

Lucie's Laser Light Lunacy

      Last Christmas one of my friends presented me with a laser pointer.  She said that both of her cats regularly went crazy chasing the tiny red laser dot.  It was the most fun of all her cat toys and she was sure that my cats would love it as hers did.  Out of my five cats at the time only one, Lucie, could suspend her disbelief and enter into the spirit of the thing.  She is still the only cat (or dog) who recognizes the laser dot as something to chase and possibly catch.  Call her stupid, gullible, prey driven or all three, she has a great time with the laser while the others sit and watch.

     There is no guarantee that your cat or dog will play with a diode laser light.  It seems to be an individual proclivity that once activated is never forgotten.  They will always know what to do when they see the little red dot. The video shows Lucie attempting to nab the dot.  At 16 years of age she can still move pretty quickly when motivated.
     For a relatively small sum you can see if your cat or dog will succumb to the lure of the laser.  It is a great way to interact with your cat and provide him/her with some much needed exercise.  The pet models are available in most pet stores and online.  If the laser pointer proves a dud with your pets all is not lost.  You can always use it for your PowerPoint presentations at work.
     For safety's sake, never point the laser light at anyone's eyes (people or pets).  The "DANGER" label conspicuous on the pointer warns to "Avoid exposure.  Laser radiation is emitted from this product's aperture."  Also "LASER RADIATION.  AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE."  Heed the warnings and have fun.

Dogwise Books

     Pinkie is checking out some recent purchases from Dogwise (http://www.dogwise.com/).  Dogwise is a great resource for books on dog training and behavior.  They also have toys, games and treats for "all things dog."  Pinkie thinks there should be a Catwise as well.

Humane Society Silicon Valley: Holiday "Animal Arts" Craft Faire

Humane Society Silicon Valley: Holiday "Animal Arts" Craft Faire

Going today to check out toys!

Catnip Revisited

Cat Toys.....Finally. REVIEW: Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy

          Ah, cat toys.  Why pay money for a cat toy when your cat will most likely play with a piece of string, a ping pong ball or a crinkled up piece of paper?  Can you occasionally go low tech in a pinch?  Of course.   However, for your sanity it is wise to build up a collection of toys that your cat enjoys either with you or alone.  Get into a routine of  initiating play with your cat.  The interaction and the exercise are good for both of you.  From your cat's point of view your entire house has many potential toys available to him/her from the cord on the window blinds to the tiny ceramic figurine on the shelf.  A supply of dedicated, safe toys and your participation can go a long way towards diverting your cat's attention from inappropriate items. 

     The toy we are reviewing today is from the Kong Company.  It used to be known as a Dr. Noys' pet toy but now is the Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy.  The picture above shows the Frog version of the toy, new on the left and well-used on the right.  Apart from the shock of yellow hair on the Frog's head and the stitched-on eyes the toy has nothing that is able to be chewed off.  The interior of the toy is a compartment with a velcro closure that holds the catnip.  The design is simplicity itself.

     Catnip (Nepeta cataria)- hallucinogen, stimulant or aphrodisiac?  Since we can't ask the cat, who knows?  Catnip is a member of the mint family.  While it does nothing for us as humans, it does transiently affect a high percentage of cats.  Some cats are genetically programmed to respond to the substance in catnip (nepetalactone) so this trait is inherited.  If you have a cat that responds to catnip then both you and your cat are in for a treat.  It can be presented fresh or dried, crushed or whole leaf.  The Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy comes with catnip "teabags" that can be placed inside the toy and so changed out when the potency wanes.  This way your toy is always ready for action.

     Reaction to the catnip toy can include rolling, rubbing, yowling, dilated pupils, hyperactivity and just general craziness.  Attempts to remove the toy from the grasp of the cat can result in injury to the owner so it is best to just sit back and watch the show. 

     The video below shows both Mack and Pinkie responding to the Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy.  The dried catnip provided with the toy elicited a somewhat mild response.  Not surprising since my previous experiences with catnip has shown that fresher is better.  This time of year fresh catnip is in short supply.  Though it reseeds freely it does die back outdoors in the Winter so the dried version is the next best thing.

     For a potency comparison we were able to procure some bulk dried catnip.  The response of my reviewers was slightly more enthusiastic but still not the all out craziness that I have observed in the past.  We have not tried the sprays or oils that are available but it would appear that we need to delve into this further.

     The Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy rates a Good for Playability.  The various versions- frog, platy-duck, dog, lamb, etc,- are mouse-small and thus a good size for carrying and flinging.  The design does allow for catnip to be continually refreshed and interchanged so that the allure need never wane.  The catnip "teabags" supplied are easy to install but my reviewers found their potency somewhat lacking.  The toy rates a Good for Durability because unlike other small, stuffed cat toys, there are no ears, eyes or tails to be chewed off and possibly ingested.  The frog version has held up well despite being salivated on and the velcro closure still works.  Safety rates a Good again because there are no appendages to be ingested.  Always watch to make sure your dog doesn't steal the toy and devour it.    

     One's toy chest should always contain a catnip toy of some kind.  Why deny your cat the pleasures of this legal kitty intoxicant? 

Hobbes- A Later Introduction

      I realize that I may have done my greyhound an injustice by stating that he is totally disinterested in toys.   His interaction with the Dog Pyramid has shown that he is not totally immune to the allure of certain toys.  Hobbes is a ten year old retired racer.  He loves treats, the dog park, sleeping in the big chair and riding in Elaine's Rialta.  I was surprised to see that he had some interest in the problem solving toys so we will welcome his input in the future.  If he gets out of the big chair to check out a toy we know it has the potential to be a winner.

Sunday morning dog park with Leo.

What Does YOUR Toy Chest Look Like?

This is OUR assortment of toy baskets.  Looks like we may be nearing capacity. 

REVIEW: The Dog Pyramid by Nina Ottosson

     

      We've barely scratched the surface of the treasure trove of treat dispensing toys that Nina Ottosson (http://www.nina-ottosson.com//) has on offer. The Dog Pyramid is our second subject for testing. It looks deceptively simple to operate but don't underestimate the ability of this unassuming toy to challenge your dog. It is devilishly difficult.
     Outwardly the Pyramid is distinctly different from the Tornado. It is hard plastic, not wood. It is, with some imagination, vaguely pyramidal. The hollow center can be loaded with treats through a hole near the top of the toy. The weighted bottom and rounded shape enable the toy to right itself after every attempt to tip it over. In its own way it is a puzzle because the dog (or cat) needs to figure out how to keep the treats coming. With one hole for the treats to come out of the payoff is not immediate and when it happens it is short lived. No sooner does your dog obtain a treat then the toy is up again, ready for action, rather like a prize fighter who refuses to stay down after a knockout blow. Is your dog up to going a few rounds with the Pyramid, the Rocky Balboa of dog toys?
     Hobbes and Xena volunteered to experiment with the Pyramid. The toy was first baited with small pieces of freeze dried liver and with kibble for the second session. There was slightly more enthusiasm for the liver initially as everyone (including the cat) was hot to get a treat. Enthusiasm waned, however when my testers discovered that, try as they might, liver delivery was infrequent. Payoff was a little better with the kibble as the pieces are larger and heavier. You don't have to be a genius in physics to grasp that when you have a few tiny objects flying around in a large hollow space with one small exit hole, you're not going to get one of the objects to fly out very often. Difficulty is compounded as the toy as previously mentioned just will not stay down to allow gravity to assist the exit of treats. Frustration with the Pyramid mounted with my testers and manifested in two different behaviors. Xena walked away from the toy and Hobbes decided to take matters into his own hands (or mouth) and attempt to force the Pyramid to give up its treasure. The video shows Hobbes' behavior. This is one of the reasons that this toy is labeled as an interactive toy only to be played with under the supervision of the owner. You never know how your dog will react when faced with this level of frustration.
     Overall my reviewers would rate this toy Good for Playability. Notwithstanding my dogs' frustration I'm sure they would tackle the Pyramid again. Hobbes and Xena, at 68 lbs and 26 lbs respectively, were easily able to knock the toy over but I could see that a small dog might have a problem getting the Pyramid to horizontal. Some treat delivery toys such as the Buster Cube and Premier's Twist and Treat are able to be adjusted to vary the frequency at which the treats are discharged. The Pyramid with its static hole at the top is just not a very giving toy. Therein lies its charm.
     I think the durability of the Pyramid is Excellent if used properly with supervision. Safety likewise is Excellent if used with supervision. A dedicated chewer might be able to break the Pyramid if left unattended- a potentially serious safety issue for your dog as the toy is hard plastic and the pieces would be sharp and might cause a GI obstruction if ingested.
     My reviewers may never solve the mysteries of the Pyramid but no matter. The greatest fun is always in the attempt, is it not?

Mack Up Early and Already Testing Toys

Toy testing this morning.  Actually, just an excuse to try out mobile blogging.

The S&J Toy Chest is going mobile!  Pictures as well, I hope!

Hobbes, Xena and Mack take on the Dog Tornado

     We are back from the land of the flu and we're itching to try some new toys!  Before we jump into the newness I wanted to see how my reviewers here at home would fare with the Dog Tornado toy by Nina Ottosson. 

     If you recall the Tornado was no match for Kirah Lopez.  I received the Dog Smart blocks that make the toy more difficult from Paw Lickers (http://www.pawlickers.com/).  More on Kirah's experience with the revised Tornado later.

     My review team was immediately interested in the Tornado.  It seemed to be a hit with both the cat and dog team members.  Even Hobbes the greyhound was excited, although less so when the Tornado was filled with his regular kibble.  Mack the cat held his own with Xena the whippet and they exhibited the kind of interspecies cooperation that warms a mother's heart.   My reviewers would rate this toy Excellent for playability although I would have to say that after the first couple of rounds they needed a bit more of a challenge.  Again the toy has Excellent durability if used properly with supervised play.  Safety is also Excellent if used properly.  Placing it on a non skid surface such as a mat or rug will stabilize the Tornado, making it less likely to carom about your floor.  Again, be careful not to drop the toy on anything that you would mind injuring.

     The next step is to increase the degree of difficulty for my reviewers.  I anticipate that the Dog Smart blocks may pose a problem for the cats!

What Does YOUR Toy Chest Look Like?

Is it a box? A basket (or collection of baskets)? An actual chest?  Where do your dog and cat toys repose?  Are they safely locked away until the next playtime or are they a readily accessible smorgasbord for your pet?  We show Portia Davis and her toy basket.  Portia will show us later why Kong is King!

The Chuckit! Revisited

     After last week's Chuckit! testing we acquired a couple of new balls to try.  "Erratic Ball" and "The Whistler"  are the two that we took for a spin today at the dog park.

     Xena rates them both Excellent for playability.  They both fit nicely into the Chuckit! launcher and are easy to pick up without bending over.  I was able to throw each ball farther than the conventional tennis ball-like Chuckit! ball.  The Whistler did indeed whistle although I think this fact was lost on Xena.  The Erratic Ball did bounce in an unpredictable fashion and I think this made for more interesting retrieving.  All in all I think we will use both of these new balls more often.

     As for durability I would rate these Good to Excellent with normal play.  They are both made of soft rubber but held up better than the conventional Chuckit! ball which was showing wear after a dozen or so throws.  However, Wes the Labrador was not at the dog park today to put the new balls to the heavy-chewer test. 

     Safety-wise both The Whistler and Erratic Ball rate a Good if used properly.  They are both hollow and so could probably be chewed to bits if a dog was left unattended with them.  As previously noted, the Chuckit! launcher and the balls are interactive toys meant for supervised play only.

How Can You Tell When It's "Time?"

     There they sit at the bottom of the toy bin, dusty relics of an ancient age...One may have been the favorite chew toy of your first dog, another the treasured tug toy of your "puppy" who is now a teenager.

Do pet toys have sentimental value?  Absolutely.  Worship them, cherish them or move on- just don't let your current dog play with them if they are in bad shape.  Nylabones and Gumabones with the ends chewed off could pose a danger to your dog if the bone is eventually small enough to swallow.  The frayed ends of a rope toy can also be ingested.  Likewise your Gumabone Frisbee that already has several holes. 
     So do your dog a favor.  For the old toys it's "time."  Remove them from the toy bin.  Make a trip to your favorite pet toy source- in town or online- and get some new toys.  Start making some new memories.

Online Source for Nina Ottosson toys and more!

Thanks to Marianne's comment on where to get pegs for the Tornado I discovered www.pawlickers.com.  This is a great website that offers lots of cool toys, gear, treats and apparel for your dog (and they have some cat things, too).  They also offer eco friendly toys and hand made treats.  It is a fun site to explore!  I  think it would be difficult for most pet owners to visit the site without buying something.  Very nice site with quality products.

"Chuckit!" vs. "Far Flung"- Duel at the Dog Park

     Well, it was no contest really.
     We braved the morning showers to meet Elaine and her crew at the dog park.  Having brought both ball launchers and a measuring tape I was expecting to measure the distance of each throw.  I didn't even get out of the gate.  It took me ten tries with the Far Flung before I was able to launch the ball any significant distance.  After that my wrist hurt.  With the Chuckit! a fluid overhead arm motion and follow through can loft your ball both higher and farther than your arm alone.  The Far Flung relies on a wrist snap at the top of your backswing to propel the ball ahead.  Without the wrist snap the ball goes into the ground or into someone close by.  Definitely not as easy to use as the Chuckit!.
     I had plenty of time to try out the Far Flung as fellow dog parkers Amy and Jeff were there with their dogs.  Amy's dog, Wes, is a ball dog and Amy had forgotten her Chuckit! at home.  Xena graciously let Wes use her Chuckit! trusting that she would get to chase the Far Flung ball.  Well, she was a little frustrated as the throws were not what she was used to.  Meanwhile Wes demonstrated his tireless Chuckit! retrieval and also tested the durability of the Chuckit! ball.  Jeff' labeled the Far Flung "feeble."  More charitably, Jeff said that it would be good to use inside the house because you wouldn't be able to throw the ball far enough to hit anything.
     I would rate the Chuckit! Excellent in playability for both dog and owner.  There doesn't seem to be a learning curve to the Chuckit! and as far as your dog is concerned the quicker you get to throwing the better.  The Far Flung ball may be able to be launched farther with further practice but then there is the wrist issue.  No wrist issue with the Chuckit! and the fun starts right away.
     As far as durability I would have to say that the ball is softer than a tennis ball and as a consequence does not stand up as well to heavy play and between-throw chewing.  I believe the Chuckit! launcher itself to be durable if used properly.  As seen in the video Jeff's Ridgeback, Prince, had other ideas for the launcher, not being a ball dog himself.  All in all I would rate both launcher and ball Good.  After all the balls are sold in 4 packs for your convenience so that you need never be without.  A good old fashioned tennis ball will also fit the launcher.
     The Chuckit! gets a safety rating of Good if used properly.  There is always potential for a dog to destroy both the launcher and the ball if left unattended with them.  As you can see in the picture there is potential for a dog to destroy the ball in the process of retrieving.  If you know that your dog is hard on the equipment just keep a couple of Chuckit! ball 4 packs around.

     All in all, a satisfying morning at the dog park but as far as Xena is concerned the morning was one Chuckit! short.

Ball Chasing 101

     In anticipation of our dog park visit today and our test of ball throwing devices I want to pay tribute to an old favorite.  The tennis ball has been the go-to toy of every ball dog probably since tennis was invented.  It is a cheap and easy way to provide tons of fun for your basic ball-fixated dog.  The only downside is that thrown by the average person it is not thrown very far and so is thrown more often.  This causes the thrower's arm to wear out and the game to end prematurely.  Having said that, if you forgot to bring your throwing device to the dog park in your haste to get out the door, you hope and pray that someone left an old tennis ball.

Tomorrow at the Dog Park- The "Chuckit!" versus the "Far Flung"

Tomorrow at the Dog Park we will see if the "Chuckit!' will be unseated as the King of the Ball Throwing Devices.  The "Far Flung" claims to "throw up to 30% farther than a tennis ball."  We will bring our tape measure.

REVIEW: The Dog Tornado

    

     The Dog Tornado is an interactive, treat delivery toy designed by Nina Ottosson from Sweden.  It encourages problem solving by providing a not readily accessible treat lure.  How accessible the treat is depends on the innate ingenuity of your dog (his or her problem solving ability) and also the level of his need for treats (his or her degree of food motivation).  The idea is to load each compartment on the three levels with a treat and align the wooden discs so that the compartments aren't visible.  Your dog will use his keen sense of smell to detect the treats but he or she will have to work out how to get them.  The three discs spin freely, alternately exposing and hiding the treat compartments.  This can provide hours, minutes or seconds of fun depending on the dog.  This toy, unlike other treat delivery toys, is meant to be used under the supervision of the owner.  Being entirely made of wood, it is not meant to be popped into the crate with your Labrador to occupy his time while you are at work.  It would be an expensive and potentially dangerous chew toy. No, this toy is meant to be enjoyed by both dog and owner.  What proud dog owner wouldn't want to say, "Your dog couldn't figure out the Dog Tornado?  Too bad. Yeah, it only took Fluffy two seconds to find out where the treats were in that thing."  That's the human- animal bond right there.

     Our guest reviewer for this toy is Kirah.  Kirah is a five year old Pomeranian mix owned by Cindy Lopez.  On the smarty-pants level from 1 to 10 this dog rates about an 11.  The Dog Tornado didn't stand a chance.  On her first experience with the toy Kirah was able to access all of the treats in a couple of minutes.  We reloaded the compartments with freeze dried liver and also some of her regular kibble.  She was able to access all of the compartments but ignored the ones with the kibble, proving that Kirah is able to evaluate the return on her investment of time.  The video shows Kirah on her third encounter using a tongue approach to access the treats. Strictly speaking this is cheating but this girl is ingenious.

     I would rate the Dog Tornado a Good to Excellent in the Playabilty/Entertainment category.  The only thing it is lacking is the ability to increase the difficulty.  With a dog like Kirah this is important.  Nina Ottosson  offers a good selection of similar treat delivery toys and I would suggest that the Dog Tornado is one of the easier to master.  If you and your dog tire of the Tornado you can go on to the next level but that is an expensive proposition- each toy being in the $40- $60 range.  Again, I think the ability to increase the level of difficulty should have been included in the toy itself.  The website shows a block that can be inserted in the Tornado to stop the discs from spinning.  The dog needs to learn to remove the block in order to get the game going again.  I was unable to find where to get the block and besides I think it should have been included with the toy.  There is a second generation of Nina Ottosson toys made of plastic so maybe that problem has been addressed.  We will have to check it out.  These toys are available online through Amazon and various other online retailers.  I purchased mine at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley where they had a decent selection.  Nina Ottosson has a website- http://www.nina-ottosson.com/.  I have included some videos of her toys on the Video Bar at the bottom of this page. 

     As to Durability and Safety I would rate this toy as Good if used properly.  Obviously if you let your dog chew on it the toy will not last very long and the function would be impaired.   If your dog is able to chew off and ingest pieces of the toy they may cause an obstruction which would necessitate a visit to the vet.  I would stress again that this toy is meant to be used under the direct supervision of the owner.  That is essential to both its durability and safety. Having said that please avoid dropping it on your foot as well.

     Oh yes, I don't know why it is called the "Dog Tornardo" on the box- Swedish for tornado or bad proofing?

Introducing Guest Reviewer, Kirah!

Kirah took on the Tornado toy by Nina Ottosson today.  This was her second go-round and once again Miss K showed everyone that problem-solving is a cake walk.  More details on Kirah and her review tomorrow!

Lucie, continued.

Lucie, in a rare moment of magnanimity, sharing "her" bed with Hobbes the greyhound.
Hobbes will not be a review team member due to his almost total disinterest in toys of any kind.

Introducing Lucie!

Lucie is the fourth member of the review team.  Her specialty is the laser pointer and anything string-like that can be pursued.  She has little interest in catnip toys or balls.  Lucie spends most of her day sleeping in the middle of the greyhound's bed even though there are other cushier places to lay claim to.  She is sometimes tormented by the younger cats and even though she is not the boss of them she is clearly the boss of the greyhound.  This must give her some satisfaction. 

While she is generally lounging she can be worked into a frenzy by the appearance of a laser pointer. 

Meet the Team! Introducing Mack and Pinkie!

Mack and Pinkie are the youngest team members at 3 years old. They are siblings with very different personalities but the kitten is still in them both. This makes for very enthusiastic toy reception when an item is introduced. They are dedicated players so if a toy is ignored by them you can be fairly certain it has the potential to be a dud. They are partial to items with catnip and to things that can be chased. Most items end up under the couch so whenever we do a thorough cleaning we have a new crop of cat toys. Laser pointers hold no interest for them but more about that later.

Meet the Team! Introducing Xena!

The first team member whom I want to introduce is Xena. She is a 4 year old Whippet. Her passion is running- primarily chasing the ball at the dog park. She has participated in the sport of lure coursing and has earned the AKC designation of Senior Courser. Unfortunately she has a tendency to cheat at lure coursing (as in not following the lure). She has had fun anyway- the rules being our rules and not hers. For her it's all about the chase so a well-thrown ball at the dog park is just as good as a plastic bag on a pulley.

Xena also has a fondness for small toys. She likes things that squeak but she is not above routinely stealing the cats' toys. As the only dog team member she is qualified to review dog toys but because of her special interests she will be reviewing cat toys as well (more for the safety and durability aspects of those cat toys).

Tomorrow I will introduce the other team members.

Toys, Toys, Toys

It occurred to me today as I was idly shopping for cat and dog toys that you really don't know several things before you make your purchases. You don't know if your pet will like the toy, you don't know how safe the toy is and you don't know how durable the toy is going to be. I mean, you can pretty much look anything up on the internet and you can read about each toy but until you actually buy the item and bring it home you don't know if you've wasted your money or not. I think I can help! Let me buy the toys and try them out on my guys first. I can let you know what to expect before you spend!
Tomorrow I will introduce my team of testers and report on some recent purchases.