I Heart My Lovebug

Panda might be the most playful dog we've fostered.

Don't get me wrong, Chiquita was wonderful and Rondo, well, he was lazy.  But Panda is the first dog we've had who actually plays with her toys.  Chiquita and Ronda liked to chew their soft toys, but Panda has other plans.  She understands the concept of fetch--we've played a lot in the hallway.  We've actually successfully gotten her off her bed (and the couch when she's being bad) just by enticing her with toys.  But the best part is, she actually knows how to make them squeak and enjoys showing them to us.

As a treat to Panda, we decided to take her to Petco.  We legitimately needed some supplies, but of course we wanted to treat her with some new toys.  We only had rope, balls and hard plastic toys.  Clearly, a "snuggling" toy (seriously, that's what is says on the label), was in order.  She was wonderful in the store and the Valentine's marketing hit me over the head as soon as I walked in the door.  Panda had to have it.  And by "Panda had to have it" of course I mean I had to have it. 

In a sale bin right at the front door were these adorable pink plush balls with arms, legs and eyes.  And it squeaked.  Too cute.  I showed it to Panda who took to it right away.  In the basket it went.  We also ended up getting her a long, yellow, squeaky dog which is perfect for tossing down the hallway for fetch.  She actually carried that up to the register and out the door all by herself.

We named her pink ball Lovebug because she is rarely very far from it.  It comes to bed with her at night and when she's feeling a little insecure, she carries it around.  Cuter still is when she misses us or we come back from being away, she'll run and get her Lovebug and bring it to us, as if to say, "I missed you soooooooooo much.  I'm so happy you came back that I offer you this Lovebug."

She's still a dog, so occasionally she'll sneak up on Lovebug and attack, shaking it as dogs do with their prey.  So that's funny.  And she knows that if she's carrying it in her mouth and she closes slightly, it will squeak.  She also knows that if she puts in on the floor and pushes it with her nose, it will squeak.  So often we are treated to a chorus of squeaking that can last up to 5 minutes.  Panda seriously loves her toys.

Submitted for your amusement.

She's cute enough that the squeaking hasn't annoyed us yet.  In fact, Dave thinks she so adorable that for Valentine's Day he took her back to Petco and got her another one, "In case this one wears out."

For the record, I got a card.