random question - stuffed animals

redshoegirl

Will and Dash sleep with teddy bears, but they've never really attached to them. They play with or stroke them occasionally, but that's about it.

I'd like to get them something they'll - hopefully - get a bit more attached to, as I think it will make the swiftly approaching Operation: No Pacifier an easier transition (and as I'm secretly plotting a short 4 day vacation for just Ben and I next year, I'm hoping that a cozy, familiar stuffed animal to have while they spend those nights with their grandparents a bit less frazzled than the last 1-night attempt was).

Both boys are really, REALLY into dogs, and have been for some time. They point them out everywhere we go - walking down the sidewalk, running around in yards, on posters and in books, two pooches randomly humping in the playground...you get the idea. Anyway, I was thinking that maybe stuffed dogs would be more attractive to them than stuffed bears, but a quick tour of the stores in our new town brought up nothing. 

These are some I've found on etsy, in no particular order:

#1 - crocheted dogs in brown and cream (machine washable, if anyone is worried about the color) - $19 each

 

#2 - green and blue - $16 each

 

#3 - pugs in black and brindle - $30 each

 

#4 - sock dogs (eyes would be felt/thread instead of buttons)- $11.99 each

 

#5 - knit dog (would have to convo seller to get two colors) - $69 each (yes, $$$)

 

Thoughts on any of these? Links to other stuffed animals (they don't have to be handmade, as long as they're cute, durable, and machine washable)? Sick of looking at toy dogs yet?

mrspresley

those are so cute! the ones I like best (in order) are #4, 2, then 5....that is based on both looks and cost

#1 looks a lil too much like bears w/long ears

I worry that #2 would attract/collect a lot of dog/cat hair since they are felt

I think #4 and 5 are cutest but 5 is ranked lowest among my top 3 favorites b/c it is so expensive!!!!!  I just think #4 is cute and quirky and unique

does that help at all??

redshoegirl

Let's add these to the list as well - maybe something more realistic would be better?

These are all 12" and vary from $9-15 (you know how Amazon is):

Outback (not sure what breed it's supposed to be)

 

Choc lab

 

Beagle

 

Golden retriever

 

Pug

 

These are 28" and $28-33:

Husky

 

Gold Lab

 

I know I'm posting a lot of choices...as you can probably guess, I"m not quite sure what I want to get yet!

PugTails3602

I initially wanted to go with #3 just because they are pugs, but I think #1, #4, and #5 are actually cuter.  #5 is too expensive, especially if you're buying 2.  I think #1 is really cute, but I'm not sure how durable it would be...I've never had a crocheted stuffed animal.  #4 seems like it would be kid-friendly.

I like the more realistic ones (especially the pug), but I think they might be too big.  If it is going to be like a "security blanket", I think smaller and more portable might be better.  When I was little, I used to have a stuffed animal that would come with me on trips as well as trips to the doctor/dentist. 

SanHawaii08

I like #4 or the 12" ones.  agree that they shouldn't be too big, and definitely need to be machine washable. 

would it be useful to ask them which one they want (out of a smaller set of options, of course)?  especially if you decide on the 12" ones, they dont' necessarily have to have the same ones. 

i had a zillion stuffed animals as a kid, but there was only 1 care bear that i LOVED and slept with every night.  i dropped it in a puddle once, and my mom sent him through the washing machine - he's never looked the same since, hah.  i had a few other care bears too, but it was just that one that i was super attached to; the others looked basically brand new years later.  maybe b/c that one was the first care bear I got?  but i'm sure i had other stuffed animals then too, and didn't get attached to those the same way, so i'd probably try to increase the odds that my kid will actually treat it like a lovey!

redshoegirl

Oh I hadn't thought about size - that's a really good point!

I really like #4 but have no idea how well sock material holds up to being dragged, thrown, chewed, etc. Anyone have an old sock monkey that's still kicking around?

I do like the realistic 12" ones as well, especially the pug, beagle and golden retriever. I'm wondering if the soft fur would make the boys more likely to attach to them vs the sock fabric? Then again, the sock fabric has color/patterns...

stargirl76

I like #4, pug and golden retriever! A friend's son has a sock monkey (he's 5 and has had it for ~4 years). Loves it to death, brings it everywhere and it still looks good. HTH! Let us know what you pick

eacerna

I like #4, the pug and golden retriever. yeah, you would wanna get one that will stand the test of time and easy to wash. i am also parcial to really soft stuffed animals so feels nice and cuddly :-). LO sleeps with a stuffed rabbit every night and it did help wean her off the paci.

MauiWedding08

I like #3 and #5.  I just had to wash J's special Bear for the first time and it's knit.  it looks great.  I think at some point (many washes/years from now) it might need a sweater shaver thing to look its best but I was really happy with how it cleaned up.  

Since I did just have to wash him it makes me wonder how that would be possible with some of the furrier ones you posted next.

As for the size, as long as it's more floppy I wouldn't be to worried about buying a bigger one.  J seems to love his bear because it's so big and because it's floppy I don't worry about it taking up space etc, and many nights he ends up on top of it.  (his is the regular size blabla doll = 22").

They have a couple of different dogs too just to give you one more place to check out.  But they are $$$ (although cheaper than #5  ...) 

lelekay

I love #5, but that's a lot!!!  I also like #1.

Henry has quite a few stuffed animals.  His favorites by far seem to be his Jellycat stuffed animals.  They are supersoft and he loves to nuzzle them.  He has a Jellycat doggie (it's a big one, though, kind of like a pillow pet) and he absolutely adores it.  They are also pretty pricey, but we have found them to be worth it.  Check out their website: https://www.jellycat.com/

Married2MrWright

Being a Pug Person I automatically vote for #3 (although they should be listed as black and fawn)! But the frugalista in me says #4...they're priced right, especially if the boys get SUPER attached and you have to spring for secret "back up" versions AND they're super cute and colorful. #2 is also a nice choice but they're bigger and that may make portability an issue.