Knots of Fun for Your Dog

All Photos Courtesy of Lisa Kamer

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 A few years ago Lisa Kamer was an executive with a food company. She had a position any businesswoman would envy yet something was missing although she didn't really admit it. Then the company was sold. She let fate take its course.

She and her husband brought home a 12-week-old Corgi puppy. Leo was not her first Corgi. The puppy was teething and actively chewing through everything in sight. She realized several years ago that her dogs could chew through the most chew-proof toys.  

One day she had a brainstorm and gathered some strips of fleece. She was sitting in her backyard, no career plans, and almost mindlessly braiding the strips of fleece, creating a toy for Leo out of strips of braided fleece. She gave it to Leo and watched him chew it, suck on it, throw it, lie on it and sleep. He was a happy boy. And so a business, Knots of Fun was born.

"I never verbalized to anyone that I was happy that my company was sold, not because it was a financial gain for me but because I felt that the corporate world was never really me." Lisa said as we sat in her living room having coffee after some cuddle time with the exuberant Leo, who is now an adult, and his new little "sister," 7-month-old Jenny. They were very happy to greet a visitor and I was happy to have a lapful of two Corgis. 

The toys were so easy to make that she thought children might enjoy making them. They certainly did! The first children to make the toys was students at the Perkins School for the Blind. They loved doing it and then they sold the toys at a school fundraiser where they were a huge hit. Making Knots of Fun turned into one side of Lisa's then fledgeling business. Since then, other schools have taken up the fundraising project. Lisa created kits that she sold to the schools. The only stipulation was that they not sell the toys anywhere that Lisa sold them, they couldn't compete with her with her own product.

You can choose from three different types of toys. They're very colorful but trust Lisa to choose the colors.  The toys are machine washable but are not meant to be chewed. They are designed for interactive play with the owner. Put them away between play sessions.  Your dog should be supervised at all times when playing with a Knots of Fun toy. If it becomes shredded or worn, replace it immediately. It is not to be consumed. 

The human-animal bond is something to which I am dedicated and I'm pleased to say that that is exactly what these toys foster since they are meant only for interactive play.
"For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an entrepreneur," said Lisa. "My puppy, Leo, became my muse. It was bringing him home after the death of my two dogs that inspired me to start Knots of Fun. It's really a dream come true to be able to work for myself and to manufacture a quality toy that is made right here in Massachusetts."

Handmade in America. What a nice thing to be able to say!

Website: www.happyhandshappydogs.com

Review: The Chuckit LIGHTPLAY Toy & Giveaway

Photo of Fuzzy by Gary Rohde

When it comes to testing toys, I have an assortment of volunteers. One of the most avid toy testers is Fuzzy who has owned Gary Rohde in Southern California ever since Gary rescued him from a shelter. A rather insecure, anxious dog who seemed to come not with baggage but a full set of luggage, he has flourished under Gary's loving care, great socialization and gentle training. 

Photo by Gary Rohde

Fuzzy has turned into a connoisseur of dog toys. Give him one and he'll be happy to play until he has either destroyed the toy or finally grows tired, whichever comes first.  When I was offered an opportunity to test Chuckit, a LIGHTPLAY toy by Petmate, Fuzzy was a pretty obvious choice. 

LIGHTPLAY Toys aglow!

A bonus of this group of new toys is that it can be seen when it's starting to get dark and great indoors to keep you from falling over the toy in the middle of the night if it's still charged. The Max Glow rubber charges under a bright light - including light from a cell phone in less than 10 minutes and the glow lasts for up to 30 minutes of nighttime play.

Lucas & Fuzzy Photo by Gary Rohde

I asked that one of the toys be shipped directly to Gary and Fuzzy.  It arrived quickly and Fuzzy immediately bonded with the box - after all, it was for him, contents and all.  



Gary unpacked the toy and Fuzzy loved it, playing with it on the sofa in their apartment. Then off they went for the real test - outdoors on one of their multiple daily walks.

Photo by Gary Rohde

Gary is disabled but even he could play with the toy, throwing it for Fuzzy in the safety of a friend's yard. Then he enlisted one of Fuzzy's friends, a young man named Luke and while Gary shot still pictures and video, they played together with the joy kids and dogs seem to naturally share.

Fuzzy gives this toy 4 paws up!  Gary and Luke seem to concur. The fact that Fuzzy hasn't been able to destroy it is another major plus since he's hard on toys.  Gary enthused that, "Fuzzy loves it!"

As you can see in the pictures (and the video below), Chuckit is a big hit with Fuzzy, Gary and Luke. 

If you want to learn more, you can go to Petmate's website:  http://www.petmate.com

Video of Fuzzy & Luke by Gary Rohde

If you want a LIGHTPLAY toy for your special canine friend, please comment on this post. A winner in the U.S. will be chosen at random from all entries.  Check back on Monday when I'll announce the lucky winner!

NOTE:  I was not paid for this review. The toy was sent to Gary Rohde so he and his dog, Fuzzy, could test it.  No money changed hands. This review is based on Gary's experiences with the toy, his dog and their young friend, Luke.

Re: What You Should Know About Toys for Dogs and Cats & Contest Winner!

Alana

Who can resist buying toys for their pets? We love our dogs and cats; they're much-loved family members and we want to make them as happy as they make us.

Here's a quick run-down of some of the things you should know before you make that impulse buy.

If you think some toys for pets look like toys for babies there's a good reason: at least one company has hired designers who had previously worked for companies that designed toys for babies.  For some people their pets are child substitutes or one more child in the family so the appeal is understandable.

The industry has no watch-dog group (any pun intended)  unlike the groups that test toys for children. The industry is expected to police itself. What does this mean? It means that you will have to shop carefully to insure the toys you're buying are safe for your pet. Is it sturdy? Are there parts that can easily be removed and swallowed? Eyes sewn onto a toy are one such example.

Does your dog love to chew? Is he really tough on toys? Be sure that the toy is well-made and you may even see on the packaging that it's made for chewers who are hard on their toys. 

Fuzzy

Be careful when choosing what size toy. Many pets will manage to swallow a toy that will need to be removed surgically.

If you're buying a wand toy for your cat, stay away from those with mylar.  That shiny silver might look attractive to you and your cat but did you know that when playing with a wand toy with mylar a cat can get the equivalent of a paper cut on his mouth? If the interactive toy has string, for example a feather toy, put it away between play sessions. Kitty might get tangled in the string or might find a way to chew through and swallow it, necessitating surgery to remove it.  And it's so much more fun when you make those interactive sessions special by announcing that it's time to play and then the game ends with the toy being put away.

Not all cats react to catnip. They have to have the catnip genes which isn't apparent in very young kittens and usually interest fades when cats are elderly. If your cat loves catnip you should know a few things about the toys. Do not buy the cheapest.  If you take those cheap toys apart they either don't have catnip in them or have a teeny amount. Look for a toy that's refillable so you can keep adding fresh catnip. As for the catnip bolster toys and little squares of fabric filled with catnip, as with any catnip, don't leave it out all the time and be sure to put it away before the cat gets too excited. They also don't need to play with it every day; it should remain special. The best way to store these toys between play sessions is in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer so it will remain fresh longer.

Laser toys aren't always safe. If you're going to play with one with your cat or dog, start the game with the light coming from inside your shoe and end it with the light returning to the inside of your shoe. Why?  Because dogs especially can develop behavior problems looking for that red dot. 

One final note: always supervise your pet with a  new toy to be sure of safety.

I hope you and your pets have a lifetime of fun together!

Now for the winner of the contest posted earlier this week.  

The winner of the dog poetry book, Throw the Damn Ball is:

Elaine Faber.

Elaine, please e-mail your address to me via my website: www.darlenearden.com  There's a link to contact me.   Congratulations!!

Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project, to honor our wounded servicemen and women, has been taken up by the Hartz Mountain Corporation. Among those wounded warriors are military dogs. They, too, are heroes and it's interesting to see a pet supply company taking such a stand. Hartz has once again partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project, giving aid to wounded soldiers and their caregivers. This program is set up to nurture the mind, body, spirit and to encourage economic empowerment. Certainly a worthy endeavor.

 For each of Hartz's Military Dog Toys sold, one dollar is donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Those dollars can quickly add up. In their first two years of partnership, Hartz was able to donate $265,000. to the project. It makes perfect sense to buy a toy or two for your own dog or for a friend's canine companion and help Hartz Mountain help the Wounded Warrior Project. Make playtime with your dog even more special. For more information you can go to either www.woundedwarriorproject.org or www.Hartz.com