Dog toy with squirrels: Durable picks for tough dogs

Alright, buckle up, because I'm gonna walk you through my latest DIY project: a dog toy featuring squirrels! Yeah, you heard right. Squirrels. Stuffed ones, of course.

It all started last week. My dog, Max, was being a little terror. Chewing everything in sight. So, I thought, "Hey, I'm pretty handy. Why not try making him something to destroy instead of my furniture?"

Phase 1: The Brainstorm

I hit up the craft store, aimlessly wandering the aisles. I wanted something durable, kinda cute, and definitely squeaky. That's when I saw 'em – the little stuffed squirrels. Inspiration struck like a lightning bolt. I grabbed three of those furry dudes, some tough canvas fabric, stuffing (because you can never have enough), and a few heavy-duty squeakers.

Phase 2: The Construction Zone

• First, I sketched out a basic bone shape on the canvas. I figured a bone would be easy to sew and hold up to Max's aggressive chomping.
• Then, I cut out two identical bone shapes. Gotta have a front and a back, duh.
• Next came the fun part: squirrel placement. I positioned the squirrels strategically along the bone outline, making sure their little tails were sticking out for extra flair.
• I sewed the squirrels onto one of the canvas bone pieces. Made sure they were on there good and tight. Didn't want any rogue squirrels flying off during playtime.
• I placed the squeakers inside the bone, spacing them out so Max would get a good surprise no matter where he bit down.
• After that, I pinned the two bone pieces together, right sides facing in. Leaving a small gap for stuffing, of course.

Phase 3: Sewing Mayhem (and a Little Cursing)

I fired up the sewing machine. Now, I'm no expert seamstress, okay? My sewing skills are… functional. There were definitely some wobbly lines and a few moments where I had to rip out stitches and start over. But hey, that's part of the fun, right?

I sewed around the entire bone, leaving that gap open. Then, I flipped it right-side out. It was starting to look like something!

Phase 4: Stuffing Frenzy

This is where the stuffing came in. I packed that bone full of fluff. I wanted it to be nice and plump for Max to sink his teeth into.

Phase 5: The Grand Finale

Finally, I hand-stitched the opening closed with some extra strong thread. I made sure that sucker was sealed up tight. Didn’t want any stuffing explosions.

The Verdict?

Max Loves It!

I presented the finished toy to Max, and he went absolutely bonkers. He grabbed it, squeaked it, shook it, and threw it around like a maniac. He's been playing with it non-stop ever since. It's been a few days, and surprisingly, the squirrels are still attached! The bone is holding up great. So, yeah, I'd call this project a success. Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta go rescue a squirrel tail from the jaws of a very happy dog.