Tag Archives: Walmart

The Greyt New Zealand Caterpillar Craze

As you know, Izzy is a greyhound.  And as a devoted greyhound owner, I belong to several Facebook groups dedicated to greyhounds.  One is the Greyhound Collective, based here in New Zealand.

Early last week, a fellow owner posted that their hound loved their large stuffed caterpillar from The Warehouse (the New Zealand equivalent of Walmart) and – coincidentally – they were available at the annual toy sale for 50% off (so $40 compared to $80)…Caterpillar

The caterpillars being sold by The Warehouse are 250 cm long

…and so started the Greyt New Zealand Caterpillar Craze!

I slept on it overnight and then decided Izzy should have one.  I ordered it online and then emailed my friend Marie “I’ve just bought Izzy one of those caterpillars.”  Marie wrote back “So did I, for Ben”   Gosh, I thought – we are good dog mothers…

And then another one and another one posted on The Greyhound Collective.  Their hounds were also reveling in their new colourful friends.  It’s been like that all week (and the sale is still going).  More and more New Zealand greyhounds are loving their warm and cuddly friends.  It’s winter here and greyhounds feel the cold.  A caterpillar makes a greyt friend on a cold winter’s day…

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So enjoy these snaps of our Caterpillar Craze…can you spot Izzy?

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

 

Darla’s story – what every owner needs to understand about dog toys

This video comes via the Center for Pet Safety, a registered 501(c)3 research and advocacy organization dedicated to companion animal and consumer safety.

Darla was the victim of a poorly designed dog toy purchased at Walmart by her unsuspecting owner.  Darla ingested nylon fabric that wrapped around her tongue and proceeded into her digestive tract causing peritonitis.  She fought for her life for over 3 days before losing her battle.

You can read Darla’s story by clicking on this link.

Dog owners must understand that dog toys are not subject to recalls and the burden of proof and legal remedies rest with the dog owner in cases like these.

I’m sharing this story to spread the word about this dog toy and to remind everyone to be careful in their selection of toys.  Toys sold at discount retailers are particularly suspect, such as those in New Zealand that are imported from China and are not well made and use paints and dyes that clearly rub off when being chewed.

Read Darla’s  story and then give your dog a hug – and promise to keep them safe from deadly toys.