The Trouble with Jolly Ball

Ray loves tug games which is why those awesome fleece toys from Little Bow Pup have come in so handy.  They're strong, washable and last a long time.  In fact, anytime Ray can carry something around in his mouth and (bonus) swing it around like a mace, he's pretty happy.  But with actual rope toys, there is the increased chance of threads loosening and getting all wound in the intestines, unknotting and coming apart.  That's why we've had a run of bad luck with our Jolly Balls.  Tugging enough causes the knots to become undone then you are left with ball and a hole with no rope inside.

Fortunately, this weekend at Big Box Store, I saw a display of fleece winter scarves on clearance and was lucky enough to find a couple in Raven black and purple!  I brought my loot home, cut the two scarves into a total of nine strips and ended up with two tug ropes and a nice new tug rope for the Jolly ball too.

When he starts a-swinging his Jolly Ball in circles he looks quite a bit like a bull trying to shake off a rodeo rider.  He swings it around his head, bangs it onto the ground and swings it around again. 

My braiding and cutting skills are nowhere near the level of professional, but for the cost of $6, I got two new and one refurbished toy, so I was feeling pretty proud of myself and I think Ray was kind of happy, too.

What crafty things do you make for your pooches?

Mom Plays Like a Girl

I love to play tug and my favorite toys have ropes; plain braided ropes, rope loops, ropes on a tire, you get the idea.  Last weekend, Mama and I went to Tractor Supply and she bought me a special rope toy...a jolly ball!  Boy do I love my jolly ball.

I can play jolly ball with Mom and Dad or I can play all by myself, which is so much fun!

My Daddy is fun to play with because he is a boy like me and we play like boys together.  Mama is fun to play with, too, but she is a girl and I have to be careful when I play with her.  When we play tug, I can only use my Fat Mouth and I can't use my paws.  I like to hook my arms around the rope for extra leverage, but I don't do that with Mama.  I've learned that if I do that, she stops playing with me.  I also give her the rope when I want her to play with me.  I like to shove it in her hands, or on her leg, or in her booty if she is walking away, but I like to make Daddy chase me if he wants to play tug.  I'm really fast...watch me zoom!

...and zoom!

...and zoom!

....and zoom!

Bye bye.