Written by For our prompt of “Stuffed Animal” today, I sketched a tabby kitten hugging a teddy bear. When Philippe and I brought our dog Elliott home as a puppy, a teddy bear was the first plush toy that we bought for him. We have so many pictures of him cuddled up next to that little bear. He actually only chewed a bit of one of the arms, so I kept it as a souvenir of his puppyhood. We quickly realized that stuffed animals weren’t a great choice for Elliott. He was far more interested in finding out what was on the inside of them, and so most were gutted within a few days. It was actually a blessing in disguise, as otherwise we’d have a house full of stuffed toys. Philippe and I would have purchased any cute plush we found just to feel like kids again. I adored stuffed animals as a child and they were my first little companions. It was comforting to have something soft to cuddle, and I adored animals, so they were always my favorite. I wish I could remember all of the names I gave them, but those particular memories have all been lost to time.
Today, I’ll often look longingly at a display of stuffed animals when Philippe and I are out shopping. It strikes me that not much has changed since I was a kid. My mother would physically tense up when we would pass a display of plush friends. She knew that it was only a matter of seconds before I would rush over and start sorting through the options before demanding one to take home. Recently, we received a catalog from World Wildlife Fund in the mail, and it was filled with plush animals that you could receive as part of a symbolic adoption. I wanted to adopt them all! Ultimately, I couldn’t decide on a single type of animal to adopt so we just bought an adoption kit as a gift for someone else instead, since we knew what favorite animal they would choose. In truth, I guess my favorite animal is a dog, and having a living and breathing version is more than enough to bring both chaos and joy into my life.
When Philippe and I see a plush dog toy, we’ll still make little cooing sounds and talk about how cute it is. We’ll pick it up and play with it, imagining how adorable it would be in our house. Then we’ll start describing the various ways that Elliott will perform surgery on the poor dear in the unfortunate event that it would actually be taken home to him. Sometimes, a plush dog toy is labeled with words like “indestructible,” “durable,” or “for aggressive chewers.” We’ll just roll our eyes at those ridiculous claims knowing full well that our pup will always find a way inside. Yet, for Elliott, it’s more about fascination and curiosity, which are definitely things I support. I’m equally a fan of not having a living room full of stuffed animal guts, so those cute toys stay in the store. It would seem that everyone in our household has now outgrown them. Though truly, I guess when you already have a husband and a dog to cuddle, it’s not really an issue. And still, the memories of childhood come flooding back as I think of that once upon a time when all I wanted in the world was something to hold.
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About the DoodlewashSketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Hansa Yellow Medium, Opus (VIvid Pink), Terra Cotta, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with Black ink, Princeton Aqua Elite Travel Brushes, in an A5 Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Watercolour Book. |
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Awww! YOU are a softie.
Hehe!! Thanks, Linda! 😃💕
My poor mother. She looooooved dolls, and I didn’t particularly care for them. There went her excuse to buy them, and back then adults didn’t have money to buy them for theirselves. I loved my stuffed animals, and like you still eye them wistfully when I see them. I got into the beanie baby craze — not only stuffed animals, but a game because it wasn’t easy to find the new ones. I used to spend lunch hours with a friend scouring downtown Portland to see if new ones had arrived. I never expected them to be worth a lot, but it was fun looking, good exercise walking around to look for them, and … stuffed animals!
That sounds like a fun time indeed! 😃💕 My mother collected dolls, but they sort of creep me out… I far prefer fake animals to fake humans. hehe
Charlie this is so precious. I’m very sad today. This morning my beautiful cockatiel Charlie died in my arms, this was so sudden I had no time to even think straight. Please keep me in your thoughts ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. It hurts so bad, but he knew that you loved him. My Beagle, Monster, died in my arms, too. I still miss him and it’s been 8 years. You’re in my prayers.
Am so sorry for your loss Sherrill. But well, the skies got a bright new star and you have a new Angel always by your side. Sending you love,
Mugdha
Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry to hear that Sherrill! Our animal companions are the dearest. Sending you love, my friend! ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss! Our feathered and furry companions are so dear to us. You’re in my prayers…
Very sweet painting. And warm, wonderful musings about our plush friends. I had a small collection of stuffed animals, too, as a kid.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, stuffed animals bring back such wonderful memories!
My comment wasn’t posted! 😭😭😭
Oh no! I’ve no idea what happened with the comment. Sending you love and hugs, mi amiga! 😃💕
Lovely doodle, Charlie.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
So sweet, Charlie! There are small, cat sized stuffed animals around our house for the pleasure of our three cats. And now that they’re more “mature” girls their idea of playing is to bat one of the toys across the room and then look at it as they walk past as if they’re say “take that!”. They do however love their stuffed bananas and can often be found hugging those. They’re cats…there is just no explaining their behavior.🤗
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Awww… they sound like they know exactly what they’re doing! Now… if literally anyone else could just figure out why! lol
Hello Charlie,
I now know what to bring you as a present when someday we meet. And no, I won’t hold it against Elliott if he performs surgery on it. I loved my dolls and teddy animals too and they must’ve loved me back. Coz when I got a bruise, I saw a band-aid on them and when I was laughing, I was sure I could hear a faint giggle nearby. Haven’t heard those giggles in a long time, but I still give and get back cuddles. 🙂🥰
Love,
Mugdha
Aww I love that you heard them giggle… I heard the same with my little plush friends. A child’s imagination is endless… I just hope to grab for a piece of that as an adult. And we should definitely meet one day! Elliott will be older and perhaps he’ll have grown bored with gutted stuffed animals by then! hehe Much love to you! ❤️
Sweet!
Thanks so much! 😃💕