Toys on a tight, tight, really tight budget!

A small private rescue that was already on limited funds - lost a major income + was gouged by a local vet, make purchasing toys for the girls a bit daunting. But low and behold I remembered a trick I've used before - stuffed toys from Goodwill.

In the past I've purchased a huge bag full and dispensed one or two at a time per canine, the pickings weren't the most desirable for pet use so we carried nine toys home (3 per). This time we placed the toys in a laundry basket for the dog to get at will and they are loving this technique.

The big blue seal was priced $3.00, but the lady rang it up and all the others for $.50 each - so we spent $4.50 and the girls are happy. Not as good as a some Kong toys that would stand up to rough play, but they are fun to play with and help keep them from chewing on each other.

For Pepper it was a chance to watch the dog's excitement, but this was best observed from the safety of carrier kept 3 1/2 feet off the floor.

Toys provide mental stimulation for the animals, not to mention they absolutely love for us to give them things. After they give us so much - unselfishly - I feel as if it is the very least I can do. It is a shame it usually is the last thing on my list and has been bumped off the list way too many times.

Already have a line of Organic Cat Grass and Organic Catnip going up for sale this week at Canines & Felines Marketplace, but I also need to get a line of dog toys - stuffed at this point is all I can see - has to be Organic - has to be safe.

It is my desire to set up items I would purchase myself - safe and environmental friendly and sale them to raise money for the animals in our rescue.


Paca makes some of the most unusual faces.