Fluff & (Most Definitely) Tuff: Truman

While in Atlanta, Georgia earlier this year I discovered a hometown toy brand. Well, not hometown, but at least home state: Fluff & Tuff out of Savannah, Georgia. I had never seen them in chain stores; this seemed to be unique to small mom and pop shops in the region. Unlike “chew guard” or “tough technology” they have no name for their barrier, but they do attach a small piece to the tag so you can see what is inside the toy. The plush is newborn baby-toy soft, but under that is a stretchy, gauzy like material. Chewing through that is a challenge, as the teeth can’t slice it easily. The toy is double-stitched as well, but it’s really that extra layer that gives it its “tuff” while the exterior of the toy is without a doubt “fluff.”

Tucker, along with many other dogs, have a knack for finding any toy’s weakness immediately. An obvious weakness is any appendage. Much like a herd, there is safety in grouping together and anything dangling off on the fringes is sure to be picked off within seconds. So, with that in mind, I chose Truman the Owl. (All of their animals have names.)

As I suspected, the beak was gone instantly. I didn’t see it get ripped off; one moment it was there, the next it was not. Never found it either. The next point of weakness was the tail. Not to get too graphic, but here’s the rear entry damage.

Chew toys last when a dog puts one in his mouth and chomps down on it again and again to squeak it. I urged Tucker to play with Truman in this manner instead of his preferred play technique: the hold down and tear upward move. Once that happens—to any toy—the toy is ultimately doomed. You don’t bounce back from the stand and shred.

Truman went with us from Georgia, to Louisiana, to Oregon, and to our own home state of California in the past ten months. It’s been a trusty little fella that Tucker enjoys—until I ask him to play nicely with it. He does so for brief spells, but the entire time he’s fighting the urge to hold it down with his two front paws and rip a wing off it (which he came close to doing.)

Overall, this is a great toy from a great company. Yes, the tags do say they’re made in China, but I’m not terribly concerned with their safety. The few holes Tucker has gotten into Truman, the stuffing appears to be the normal level of toxic material (cause let’s face it, dogs shouldn’t eat stuffing of any kind), and I have yet to actually extract a squeaker from one.

With Christmas around the corner, I felt it was time for a new Truman. Fluff & Tuff are supposed to be machine-washable, but I haven’t tried. With the few wounds on its exterior, I was worried I’d end up with stuffing in the washing machine hoses by the end of it. Looking at the before and after, I see now a wash might have been appropriate long ago.

But I won’t say that’s dirt. That’s just the indelible marks of being thoroughly loved.  The Velveteen Rabbit would be jealous.

Two thumbs up, all paws, and a bark of excited joy for Fluff & Tuff’s Truman the Owl. I'm sure Truman Jr. will last just as long enduring Tucker's tough love.