Monday 2 January 2012

safe throwing toys for dogs

Out again early this morning to beat the heat, we met a couple of lovely black dogs (and their human) at the dog friendly park along the Yarra River. They had a couple of Safestix, which their human had purchased online.



We were wondering whether Penny might try to nab one of the lovely orange sticks, instead of her boring old piece of wood (which I'm holding in the background), but she swam quite happily for the ordinary stick.



The dogs with the Safestix had to learn to watch carefully when the toy was thrown, because it momentarily sinks and then bobs up again.





Now I want one for Penny. Of course.

I can't find an Australian supplier listed on the Safestix site, so I've emailed my favorite pet supplies store, Murphys, to see whether they might have them or might get them in. Otherwise I'll order from either the UK or the listed New Zealand shop.

The Safestix seems to have a similar use to the Aussie Dogs Slapathong, which is also a floating alternative to a stick.

By the way, we never throw a stick for Penny on land. I've heard many people mention the dangers of tossing sticks for dogs to fetch, but I don't need to be warned of the possible consequences, because I once saw a man with a stick embedded in his face. He lived, but it was one of the worst things I've ever seen!

Sticks are dangerous.

6 comments:

Molly the Airedale said...

That sure looks like a fun toy to us! Your mom is very smart to research everything to keep you safe, Penny!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Unknown said...

What a great idea that Safestix is! I always worry a bit and feel guilty when I let Honey play with sticks - although I do only do it with waterlogged ones that won't splinter and I only throw it into water so it won't bounce back into her face but still...I know it still has risks...

I have considered buying other retrieve toys in the past, especially floating ones - but the problem with Honey is that she just can't be relied on to bring something back that's in the water (esp if it floats out to where it's deep) and then we could end up losing the toy if I can't get to it either (and I don't want to get wet every time!) - we've lost quite a few expensive toys this way...so now I'm really reluctant.

But I will check out the Safestix!

Hsin-Yi

parlance said...

Maggie and Mitch, I couldn't really claim in this case it was actual research, lol. It was just that the toy looked so great.

parlance said...

Honey, we're the same. One of our really good Whirl Wheels floated down the river and was probably lost at sea. I'm always afraid that Penny might chase a toy too far, so I need to have two of the toy on hand to distract her. In that situation, sticks are certainly cheaper.

Lassiter Chase and Benjamin said...

It's great that Penny saw other friends playing with sticks too.

parlance said...

Lassiter Chase, I think Penny saw them as adversaries rather than friends, lol.