Makeshift Entertainment

When Guy and I adopted Lily from Animal Friends, one of the questions they asked us was how much we thought it would cost to care for a dog each year. We had no idea, so we said something in the range of $500. The Adoption Counselor was thrilled to inform us that we were delusional and that it costs usually almost double that amount. Despite the advice of a knowledgeable employee of an animal-rescue organization, I didn't quite believe the statistics she gave us until we took our first trip to Petco. I've already written a post on the expenses of brand-name bones, but this time it's the dog toys that were giving me sticker shock. It turns out that buying dog toys is an art. It takes a combination of the ability to predict what type of toy your dog will play with (In Lily's case, NOT the $15 Buster Cube we got her for Christmas that is still sitting in her toy bin, untouched), the penny-pinching skills to weigh the cost of the toy versus its durability (as much as I'd like to buy Lily a giant stuffed walrus, the fact that it will last 5 minutes before it is merely an empty walrus shell deters me from doing so), and the keen eye to spot a good deal (your dog will never know that she's playing with an "unseasonal" Frankenstein toy bought on clearance around Thanksgiving). However, even if you have mastered the art of buying dog toys, there's still the issue of money not growing on trees. Even the most sensible buyer could go broke after a few trips to the pet store. That's why we have had to get creative around the Tarbert household and provide makeshift toys for Lily to play with. For example:

The "page torn out of a magazine" toy or, if I'm feeling generous, the "whole magazine" toy
Durability -- Very low
Cost -- Very low
Time of enjoyment -- at least 30 seconds

The "sock/bandana/anything pulled out of my nightstand drawer" toy
Durability -- Medium
Cost -- Low
Time of enjoyment -- anywhere from a few minutes to a few days

The "repurposed sporting goods" toy*
Durability -- High
Cost -- Low
Time of enjoyment -- weeks

So what if my dog goes to camp and tells all the other dogs that she has to play with old soccer balls and Mommy's panty hose while they chew on shiny new Kong Wubbas? It will help her appreciate the value of a dollar when she grows up. And there's nothing like having a dog that comes when called AND can balance your checkbook.

If you have any ideas for homemade toys, please share. I haven't quite tackled homemade treats yet, but that's next on the list.

*We acquired a large number of old soccer balls from the Brookline Soccer Association. They have lots more that they're willing to give away, so if you'd like any, let me know and I'll give you the contact information.