I have a confession to make. My dogs are killers. Oh, they’re perfectly friendly to humans and other animals, but the number of stuffed animals that have met their demise at the paws of my ruthless beasts would make Ted Bundy weep. Thus, it long ago became cost-effective for us to try to resurrect what dead stuffies we could.
Replacement squeakers only run about $1.50-$2.00 for a pack of 6 or so, so stuffy recycling is a real money-saver. Here are some simple steps for giving ripped and gutted stuffy toys new life.
What you need: polyfil stuffing, replacement squeakers (available at Petsmart and other pet supply stores), needle and thread, scissors.
1. Prepare the victim for surgery (i.e., cut off loose strings or threads, remove old squeaker parts, and inspect to be sure it’s safe for reuse).
2. Restuff as needed with polyfil and replace the defunct squeaker.
3. Carefully suture the wound with needle and thread.
4. Tie off and cut excess thread. Voila! Your stuffy is ready to be mutilated once again.
