Beth over at Nutwood Junction wrote about her childhood stuffed animal and asked readers to comment on their own. As usual I'm too long-winded for my own good, so I figured I'd post it here.
Unlike Beth I don't think I have any pictures of the animals, at least in electronic format, so the text will have to do.
When I was in preschool we had a show and tell day where we were encouraged to bring in our teddy bears. I didn't have a bear. Instead I had three favorite animals: an elephant named, stereotypically, as Dumbo, a horse named Rusty, and a blue dog with floppy ears named Ralph. Ralph never really struck me as a dog. He was designed in a more-or-less seated posture, and I think he looked more like a Sesame Street monster than a canine.
Anyhow, of course the kids made fun of me for not having a bear. When my Mom picked me up I told her the story and we made a beeline for Toy Country, located up on 27th Street where Pet World is now.
I went up and down the aisle before deciding on my bear. From that moment on Fuzzy and I were inseparable.
He was small, with dark brown matted fur and tan paws. There was very little detail on him - a red stitch or two for lips and a simple nose. I do remember his eyes though. They were brown with a hint of orange, and one eye was always obscured by a stray bit of fur.
Later Scottie, a very simple dog made by my paternal Grandma from two pre-printed pieces of fabric, joined the group.
I always imagined Fuzzy as the leader of my little group of animals, a sort of Pooh-like world where Pooh actually had brains.
Where are they now? Rusty is in storage at my Mom's and Ralph should have been with him, but I didn't see him the last time I checked. Scottie is upstairs with the girls, Dumbo is MIA, and Fuzzy . . .
Well for a number of years he was lost, and rumor had it my Dad tossed him in a bag that was donated to charity. But a few years ago a bear looking suspiciously like Fuzzy resurfaced at their house and I snatched him up. He has many of the characteristics, right down to the eye, but he also has some traits I don't remember.
In the end whether he was the original or not is irrelevant; I say he is, so he is. The kids occasionally sleep with him now. I never do. Except, you know, when I have one of the kids sleep with usand the bear just happens to fall out of their arms and over to my side of the bed.
Accidentally of course.
5 comments:
Well, of course! Accidents DO happen. When Ken goes on his business trip this weekend, Little Red Doggy might make his way from beside my chair to our bedroom...and maybe up onto a pillow on the bed. Accidentally, obviously.
This was really sweet--great to know that I'm not the only one who still cherishes a childhood companion. Here's to Fuzzy and the gang!
Beth
Love it Dan !! especially the last sentence !! I had a I llike you had favourite things" my very favourite was a black and white Panda...One day Mum was collecting toys for some poor lids or other and she said I had to give some of mine away. No bother I though there were quite few I didn't really like or play with so they were duly collected. Mum looked at at them and said "you know it dosn't mean anything if you just give away things you don't like, why should other poor children like them ?" so away I went and handed over my very very favourite Panda.....it scarred me for life !! Mum never knew till years later just how much I had loved that wee Panda but it taught me a good lesson one that I have tried to keep with me always...Love Sybil xx
Fluffy was a dog. He's the one that stands out the most in my memory. That's the only place any of my childhood pals exist. And weren't we clever about the names!
Thanks for the memory spark, Leigh
This was great. A tender memory from a guy and I enjoyed it immensely. It's not a childhood bear, but Doc gave me one of those Antique bears that have moveable arms and legs. I tend to like having that around when I'm sick. (Hugs)Indigo
Fuzzy Wuzzy Was A Bear :o)
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