Purrfectplay

What The Heck Is That?!

Fantastic Dumpling!
Originally uploaded by Purrfectplay

Good question! Our design exploration has produced... well... a dumpling. At least this is what we are calling it. It starts with a double layer of hemp canvas sewn into a flat circle-- think, pancake. This pancake is folded in half and wraped around another double layer pancake of organic cotton canvas. This pancake has also been folded but stuffed with organic cotton fiber and a squeaker. So really, it is a dumpling inside a dumpling.

This design produces a toy with only one out facing seam, important for those dogs who start destructing at the seams. This seam is even triple sewn. There are also 4 layers of thick heavy canvas between the dog and the stuffing. Oddly enough even with all this thickness dogs seem to really love its mouth feel. No way around it, dogs love the taste, texture, and I think, the smell of clean natural hemp and cotton.

Kelly's guardian Peggy has related their experiences with the dumpling. Please check them out-- Kelly is a doll and Peggy has taken some wonderful photos. Basically Kelly loved it and it has been a durable toy. Whew!  Thank you Kelly.

Design Downsides:
Human limitations: Sewing and turning these toys is a bitch! There is no way a more complicated shape would be possible given that we make our toys with human effort not big machines.

Fabric limitations: Although natural hemp washes well it also shows dirt. We strongly believe in a dye free product so we just have to go with the concept that dirt happens.

Shape limitations: I don't know, will people buy a simple dumpling toy without the cuteness factor of a bone, frog, etc motif? Also these dumplings start out 3 dimensional but get flattened with intense play. Our testing pups don't seem to care at all. Should we care, and even if we did what could we really do about it given that extra seams decrease durability.

More tonight as I mull over these questions. Input? Always welcome.

And don't forget more amazing testers to come.

When I Was Young: Turtle Memories

Half Submerged Turtle
Originally uploaded by nickehret

Recently a new friend asked me to tell my "turtle story". This is a story I told more when I was younger and it was fresh in my mind. I love this memory.  So....consider this story a serendipitous extension of the larger history of Purrfectplay-- if you want. What ever you think, it remains for me a simple story of kindness.

Years ago when I was in 3rd grade I had a painted turtle-- I don't remember where he came from but I loved his smooth bright shell and his slow steady ways. One day I took him for a walk and lost him in really big mud puddle. As the sun set  I was forced to leave him outside.

At the school bus stop the next morning, one of the tougher kids showed up holding my turtle. "MIne" I declared. "Tough luck" he retorted and threw it on the sidewalk.

Right then the bus pulled up. "Not on my bus" the driver said. " I am not leaving without my turtle" I yelled while carrying my bloody turtle onto the bus. Once at school, my teacher made a big fuss and sent me to the principle's office. I had never even spoken with my principle let alone been sent to his office. I was mighty scared. 

I will never forget my principle, Mr. Elston. He rose from his desk-- a very big man. He leaned over and talked quietly asking me about my turtle until I calmed down. Then he did this unforgettable thing--he freeze framed his day and drove me home. He waited patiently while my Mom and I set the turtle up with water in a shady protected spot in the yard.

Mr Elston will always be my hero. He showed me and my little turtle respect. Now, he and that little turtle share the same memory nook in my brain. A big man and a little turtle who totally belong together...... And that is my turtle story.

Lily in her backyard

Lily in her backyard
Originally uploaded by Purrfectplay

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be sitting, fluffy and queen like, on your very own path? This is Lily-- simply in her backyard. Here we are, Purrfectplay, simply producing the best toys can. We don't always feel this fluffy or queen like but we may have a more complex world view than Lily. I am not saying it is richer or smarter-- just more complex.

We had some success today and some frustration. Sometimes the frustration shines right into our eyes and gets in the way of actually seeing anything else. I think tonight I will take Lily as an example and choose to enjoy this simple backyard we dwell in. We aren't trying to send a man to the moon-- we just want to produce fun safe eco-friendly pet toys. We are a simple company but sometimes we dream of being fluffy. Maybe you know what I mean?