Gummy Bear!

One of Elka's birthday presents was a squeaky (well, it kind of squawks) gummy bear, manufactured by J.W. Pets. They're the company that makes the "cuz" toys, if you're familiar.

I've heard good things about the cuzs, but also valuable warnings: You see, there are two kinds. One with feet that are easily gnawed off and swallowed, the others not. You might guess which kind was available when I went to the local feed store. So, gummy bear it was!

Elka seemed more than impressed with the gummy bear. I've got to say, it actually kind of smells nice. Rather like vanilla, instead of just rubber blah.

When it makes noise, Elka tends to stop and sniff at its butt. Sort of like when she farts and sniffs her own butt like, "butt, what are you doing?"

I guess she's starting to get over her fear of hurting objects; though she'll still chew this delicately, to avoid the squawking, she doesn't recoil from it when it squawks either. Though somewhat durable, this toy does require supervision; she centered on the area around the squeaker valve to chew, which is apparently the toy's most vulnerable area. If she'd just play with it and squeak the body, it would be fine. Also, she seems to like playing with it with her butt in the air. I've seen pictures of other Dobermans doing this. Breed trait?

Other than the supervision necessity (which, truth be told, I do with almost all toys other than Gumby and Kongs at this point), I'm rather happy with the gummy beat. It's bright (to me, anyway), it's adorable, and Elka doesn't seem troubled by it.