This Ain’t No Stinky Sock

Several months ago I was browsing an old issue of a dog magazine at the library and came across a short snippet on how to make a simple homemade toy for your four-legged friend. The thought of the homemade toy has been nagging at the back of my head since that day I left the library. Finally, this weekend, I decided to give it a try.

All you need is:

• an old sock –> this one was generously donated by MM (please bear with the pilling, discoloration, and stains… as you can see, this poor sock has been through a lot) 

• an empty plastic water bottle –> in this case, I substituted it with an empty multi-vitamin bottle that I resurrected from the recycling bin

• some dried beans –> I improvised with barley, as it was all we had in our pantry

Pour the beans into the bottle, screw on the cap, and stuff into the sock. Tie a knot and…

Ta-da! An instant toy!

Hope you like your little pressie, Miss Maple!

Maple’s first reaction to the rattling of beans is one of startled curiosity.

It sounds like there’s a mini rattlesnake hiding inside the sock. [Note: Varying the quantity, type, and size of dried beans will change the weight and acoustics of this nifty toy. Give it a try with different combinations!]

Maple takes a chance and steadies herself for the pounce.

After realizing that this rattling sock will not bite back, Maple lets down her guard and befriends her new toy.

No more than twenty minutes later, Maple happily (and without guilt) reveals the hole she has punctured into the slobber-ladened sock.

And, here, Maple bravely licks what seems to be an indeterminate crusty corner of MM’s old sock. 

It looks like Mr Rattling Sock has easily become Maple’s favourite toy now. It won’t be an easy task snatching it away from her paws—you’ll need to organize an Ocean’s Eleven equivalent of a heist to accomplish this nearly impossible mission!