Back in the days when I was doing home daycare, we brought together a family of stuffed Dalmatian puppies. There was Pongo and Perdita, and 8 little spotted puppies. We were trying for the whole set, but small children’s interests waned, and the budget moved on to other things.
The toys were played with for many hours. When we went to a matinée of Disney’s cartoon version of 101 Dalmatians, I allowed the kids to carry along a stuffed animal to hold while watching the movie.
There we were, sitting in a row, 6 kids and 2 moms, with cute and quiet toys in our laps.
As we were waiting in line towards the exit, at least 3 other moms asked where did we get the toys. One mentioned that her daughter was soooo jealous, that the kids with me were allowed to bring a stuffed animal to watch the show, especially a doggie just like the ones in the movie. I got the feeling that she did not appreciate someone else being so lenient, or maybe that the children with me were so well-behaved while holding a toy.
Our toys were packed away in a plastic bag in the basement storeroom for years. Before Christmas, when I waded my way into that space, I found them. They seemed to ask how could I have forsaken them, and they were longing for daylight.
I brought them out, tossed away the plastic bag and gave them an airing. When that wasn’t enough, I ran a couple loads through the laundry. (I’ll bet that added to the reason that my washer machine needed a new pump not so long ago).
This morning, I carried them to the Children’s Room of the public library. I spoke with the Head Librarian of that department (who was a new college grad assistant back when my group of kids were regulars at Storytime).
I told her the stuffed puppies were a donation, complete with basket, to the Children’s Dept, but my husband said I was to put no restrictions on them.
The library could do with them as they see fit, even if that means selling them one by one at the next clearance sale.
As I was driving home, I was thinking how hard it is for me to let go of just these stuffed animals. I cannot imagine having a new litter of puppies or kittens at the Humane Society to find good homes for.
As I got out of the car, it came to me that I did not have a recent picture, so I got to looking around on the ‘Net.
I came upon a nice one on Ebay.
Yessirree, this is a set like the one I gave away.
The listed Buy it Now price is $45.
Taking a deep breath now, and going to load the dishwasher.
Life does move on.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
“It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out, it’s the grain of sand in your shoe. ~~Robert W. Service (1874-1958)
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