Everyone poops. Even your dogs. Even your toys.
Hasbro added three new pets in its FurReal Friends line this year, and I can confidently say that all three are my ultimate favorites to ever appear in the line. The first to hit store shelves this year is Pax, My Poopin’ Pup, which will hold us over until Torch, My Blazin’ Dragon and Bootsie the cat release in the fall.
Pax, My Poopin’ Pup has the most enchanting face ever, and is as sweet as any real-life dog. He has incredibly soft fur, but overall his body is pretty hard, so it’s as if you’re petting a real puppy (but even better, because he won’t run away from you if you’re trying to cuddle with him). Pax is a tiny dog with a big personality and kids can take care of him just like a real puppy.
But, when I say kids can take care of him just like a real puppy, I mean all of it. Including the messy parts (re: pooping).
Pax comes with a detachable two-part leash, nine treats, and a clean up bag. He knows when kids are feeding him, and responds with cute munching and chomping sounds to let them know that he’s enjoying his treat. Pro tip: Only feed Pax one treat at a time! Then, kids can attach the leash to Pax and take him for a walk. The leash comes in two detachable parts, so the smaller leash can be used for table play, or the longer leash can be used for floor play. The leash is long enough for kids (and me) to comfortably walk Pax.
When kids tug the leash back in a very specific way for no accidental pooping, Pax will sit down and poop out his treat. He will also make farting noises, but they’re totally bearable and not super gross. Kids can then clean up the poop pieces and store them in the clean up bag. Pax is so cute that he makes pooping look really adorable.
Pax is an amazing way for parents to introduce the concept of pet care to their kids if they’re unsure if they can handle the responsibility. Kids will learn to take care of Pax, including the importance of feeding and clean up. Pax also won’t poop until kids initiate him to sit, so they could just walk and play with him all day. One of my favorite parts about Pax is that if you didn’t see his packaging or know what he does beforehand, then you would never guess that he’s a poopin’ pup!
Last week, our Editor-in-Chief Jackie Breyer was a guest at her daughter’s first grade class to test toys, and she brought Pax along with her. Just like pretty much everyone, all of the 6- and 7-year-olds thought that Pax was just a pet dog. But, once they saw him eat a treat, take a little stroll around the classroom, and sit down to poop his treat out, the kids went ballistic! Jackie said that all of the kids loved Pax so much that they each wanted to take him home. Several kids wanted to demo him themselves over and over again, bursting out into hysterical laughter each time.
Toys like Pax remind you what the purpose of toys are in the first place: bringing so much joy to kids and sparking laughter and fun memories. Pax does exactly that as a fun, lighthearted toy. Kids can care for him and love him like a real pet, and Pax will love them back with all of his little—albeit plastic—heart.