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August 26, 2013

Does Your Pet Have A Comfort Object?

As a kid I was just like Linus from Charlie Brown. I would carry my favorite blanket with me wherever I went, so I completely understand the importance of a good comfort object. But comfort objects are not just for people.  My brother’s dog has a favorite bone he will

As a kid I was just like Linus from Charlie Brown. I would carry my favorite blanket with me wherever I went, so I completely understand the importance of a good comfort object.

But comfort objects are not just for people.  My brother’s dog has a favorite bone he will carry around when he is anxious.  I also recently learned that otters have a favorite rock that they like to keep with them.  While I support comfort objects I also support not having to buy a new pair of sandals every time I leave Eko home.

R.I.P

These used to be my nice sandals

I kept my current pair of sandals in the closet while I was out, but I got lazy and stopped putting them away.  Luckily Eko seemed to be over his sandal kick and they were left untouched.  Or so I thought.

dog blog, pet adventure, petcentric, marking our territory, comfort object

One day I came home and noticed one sandal was a bit further away from the other.  “Maybe I kicked it off in a rush,” I thought

dog blog, pet adventure, petcentric, marking our territory, comfort object

Then I would discover one sandal would be very far from the other.  I suspected Eko, but he played innocent.  There were no teeth marks in the sandal to convict him with

dog blog, pet adventure, petcentric, marking our territory, comfort object

But one day I stealthily discovered it was for sure Eko

And now I’m torn.  I think Eko likes the sandal because it has my scent and I like that it provides him some comfort when I’m out.  I can’t really scold him for eating it because there is not a single tooth mark in it.  I am leaning towards allowing Eko to borrow the sandal while I’m out but there is a part of me that says I’m just asking for him to chew through them one day.

Any suggestions?  Does your pet have a comfort object?  I would definitely like to find Eko an alternative, but I’m not sure what to give him.

 

Comments for Does Your Pet Have A Comfort Object?

  1. It’s hard (impossible) to replace a comfort object. I love mom’s left running shoe – only the left one.

  2. raisingdaisy says:

    Our vet had suggested tying a knot or two in a sock with our scent on it and allowing our dog (our previous dog) to have it as a comfort chew toy when we were out. It worked and she stopped chewing other things. We also made sure we kept our shoes and other things she couldn’t have put away in closets and drawers so she wouldn’t be tempted by them. Hope you find the right solution for Eko!

  3. Doggy has a blanket he loves, he has it since he was a puppy. That things stinks, I’ve washed twice but he seems to hate it when I wash it.
    He also has a piece of a toy he destroyed months ago, he hides it so I don’t take it away.
    I’d say buy cheaper sandals lol

  4. Victoria says:

    they have those braided rope pull toys that have rubber toys on the end (one I sawa was a round rubber ring and another a mini tire) – you might try sleeping w/it for a few days to give it your scent and then giving that to Eko for a comfort item. It would smell like you, have the rubbery sensation of your sandal bottom and if he chewed on it that would be ok.

  5. Emmadog says:

    My sister and I have never chewed much stuff around the house. I have Bunny that is my comfort object but he is usually upstairs in my bed and then I bring him out when I’m happy. If Mom is gone we just sleep. Maybe since there are two dogs and two cats it isn’t lonely so we don’t need to chew stuff. I would just worry about him ingesting the shoe pieces and getting sick. Try telling him to be a big boy and that adult dogs don’t chew on shoes…Mom tells me things like that, not that I listen.

  6. nerdgrl (Kim S.) says:

    Steffi’s comfort item is her first toy. I got it for her when we picked her up: a fluffy gingerbread squeekie toy. It doesn’t have much “fluffy” left on the outside, but the squeekie still works. I’m scared to wash it, though I have; she threw up on it once and so I had to wash it. It’s been her go to item for whenever she’s scared or upset. My favorite picture of her has her head using it as a pillow, covered by a blanket; she’s sleeping away. “Fluffy Doll” is almost 14 years old and is Steffi’s baby doll. I think it’s the only toy she hasn’t destroyed in some way.

  7. aud says:

    How about your socks, ones that you’ve worn but not your favorites and you don’t mind they are killed? Roll both in a ball and let him keep it.

  8. Whee have comfort blankets made of Mummy’s old fleece pjs. They make us feel safer and happier.

    Whee are thinking you need a new pair of shoes!

    Nutty, Nacho, Buddy & Basil
    xxxx

  9. I’m not sure how you would go about replacing it since the sandal is the item that he’s chosen… that’s a tough one, I’d just let him have it, you can always get another pair but his happiness is something you can’t buy.

  10. My advice is let Eko cuddle with the sandal (till he loses his mind one day and eats it). Meanwhile, buy some new sandals, and put them in the closet, just in case.

  11. Tiffany F. says:

    Tonto likes to steal my slipper when we’re out. It has a few bite marks in it, but it’s still wearable. I say let him have it but then keep a spare back-up in the closet just incase!

  12. Shana says:

    Your feet have more concentrated sweat glands than anywhere else on your body which is why dogs are drawn to our feet, socks and shoes. I would recommend wearing a pair of socks and then tieing knots in them for Eko and see if he will accept them for comfort instead of your sandals 🙂 My puppy is definitely a sock puppy – he loves carrying them around, rolling on them and sleeping with them.

  13. Misaki says:

    Maybe you can just share them

  14. Sounds like Eko has adopted that shoe……Sam used to have a comfort object but these days I think I’m his comfort object! He follows me around all day and when I sit he’s in my lap. I can think of WORSE comfort objects (!) but I’m thinking of nicknaming him “Velcro Boy” !

    Pam

  15. Chopper's mom says:

    Does Eko snuggle with the sandal? Or is he just carrying it around like a toy?

    My parents Springer Oliver, will pick up any shoe laying on the floor an bring it to you, like a toy, however if you don’t notice, or take it fast enough, you might never see it again. He Will hide it!

    Last winter my Dad lost 2 pairs of slippers. Eventually Oliver gave my Dad the right slipper from 1 pair and the left of the other. He never chews on them just steals them.

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