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p-no
I'd suggest going to a kids' store or browsing online and letting your inner child fall madly in love. :inlove:
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I'd suggest going to a kids' store or browsing online and letting your inner child fall madly in love. :inlove:
Thank the Gods! Other folks who have their comrades-in-arms still with them! I thought for sure I was the only one in the universe who still had their stuffed loved one with them!
Huge salute to Squeeky...at 55, that sweet darling doll is the very first I've ever heard of from a fellow sufferer that is older than my Teddy.
For the one who hugs the Squeek, We Salute You!
Yaaaaaaay!!!
Now, onto my dashing fellow. I received Teddy on my sixth birthday and he just turned 35, not bad looking for a middle-aged fellow, is he?
Luckily, I got him from my uncle who was one of only two people in the universe who encouraged me to be myself. (He died 5 years ago from Parkinson's.) :'(
More importantly, I got Teddy before all of my trauma happened.
I always say that Teddy is the only 'person' in the universe who "gets" what's wrong when I'm triggered because he was there for ALL of it. With every trauma and every hurt, he was the only one who ever comforted me. He guarded me while I slept and he was there to soak up my tears & reassure me that one day all the people that were hurting me wouldn't be able to abuse me anymore.
Whenever I'm triggered, he's my go-to guy and has been for over three decades. He is the one and only thing I'd run into a burning building to save.
The worst though? "The Re-Stuffing Incident."
Oy veh!
Ready?
As you know, when stuffed animals (like Teddy) last as long as they do, they need to be cleaned. After twenty some-odd years they've seen the flu, various coughs and colds, sinus infections and a variety of ailments, not to mention soaked up the tears and accidental snot from long cries. Teddy and I have survived various not-so-ideal living conditions and we've even driven coast-to-coast together. So eventually they gotta have a bath, right?
Well of course over the years he has enjoyed a Woolite Day Spa, but never a deep clean, that *was* until seven years ago.
After my ex-husband noticing that Teddy was in sore need of a deep clean and some stitch work, we placed him in a padded shopping bag and took him to the "Build-a-Bear Workshop". After several calls to specialty stores around the city, I found out that the Build-a-Bear folks do FREE refurbishment work. So, holding tightly to my ex's hand, I handed Teddy over to their manager, who I vetted thoroughly to make sure she was qualified to handle my precious one. I let her know in no uncertain terms that if she hurt him in any way it was katy-bar-the-door.
She let me stand behind her and we discussed the fact that since he had never been deep cleaned it would be best to do a re-stuff. I went pale and teared up. My ex held my hand as she gently and carefully opened up the seam in his back.
I nearly fainted.
As she de-stuffed Teddy, she remarked at how rare his stuffing was, as horsehair isn't used for stuffing anymore. However she did praise me for what excellent condition he was in and let me know how impressed and honored she was to be working on him.
After she repaired his mouth and a seam on his leg, she held him out to me unstuffed to take home to wash. At that point I hyperventilated. At the sight of him flat and wide open in the back, my mind spun, my anxiety went through the roof and my ex spirited me out of the store, parking me on a bench with a trembling cigarette in my hand.
While I pulled myself together, he went back into the store and collected Teddy then took me home.
After we got home I couldn't even look in the bag, much less touch it. Every time I got close to it, I freaked, so my ex took him into the bathroom with the bottle of Woolite. The disgusting part is that it took five washings for the rinse water to come out clear. The first time it was completely black.
After a good, solid deep cleaning, he hung out to dry for a few days. Then it was back to Build-a-Bear for the re-stuff. While I thought the de-stuffing was bad, the re-stuffing was equally unnerving.
The one thing I have to give those folks at Build-a-Bear is that they are very sympathetic and caring. First question the manager asked me is whether or not I wanted him to have a stuffed heart. I started crying right then and she helped me pick out just the right heart to put inside. After that, it was to the stuffing machine. I nearly fainted again when his arms and head were put over the nozzles and filled up again.
In the end though, she carefully stitched him back up, gave his fur a proper brushing and spiffied him all up.
As she handed Teddy back to me, she grabbed me in a tight hug and said,"All teddy bears should have someone like you in their lives. I've never seen anyone value their teddy bear more than you. I hope you'll be together 20 more wonderful years. If he ever needs anything at all, come back to see us and we'll make sure to love and take as good of care of him as you do."
And as he sat in my lap on the car ride home smelling of Woolite and fresh stuffing, I hugged Teddy tight and realized how lucky I was to have him. I thanked my ex profusely for helping me get through the ordeal. As soon as I got home, I called my uncle and let him know that the gift he gave me so long ago was worth more than all the riches in the world.
My ex maybe gone and I still fight my illnesses every day, but I'll always do it with my sweet Teddy by my side!
Hooray for our beloved stuffed friends!!!
Huge salute to Squeeky...at 55, that sweet darling doll is the very first I've ever heard of from a fellow sufferer that is older than my Teddy.
For the one who hugs the Squeek, We Salute You!
Yaaaaaaay!!!
Now, onto my dashing fellow. I received Teddy on my sixth birthday and he just turned 35, not bad looking for a middle-aged fellow, is he?
Luckily, I got him from my uncle who was one of only two people in the universe who encouraged me to be myself. (He died 5 years ago from Parkinson's.) :'(
More importantly, I got Teddy before all of my trauma happened.
I always say that Teddy is the only 'person' in the universe who "gets" what's wrong when I'm triggered because he was there for ALL of it. With every trauma and every hurt, he was the only one who ever comforted me. He guarded me while I slept and he was there to soak up my tears & reassure me that one day all the people that were hurting me wouldn't be able to abuse me anymore.
Whenever I'm triggered, he's my go-to guy and has been for over three decades. He is the one and only thing I'd run into a burning building to save.
The worst though? "The Re-Stuffing Incident."
Oy veh!
Ready?
As you know, when stuffed animals (like Teddy) last as long as they do, they need to be cleaned. After twenty some-odd years they've seen the flu, various coughs and colds, sinus infections and a variety of ailments, not to mention soaked up the tears and accidental snot from long cries. Teddy and I have survived various not-so-ideal living conditions and we've even driven coast-to-coast together. So eventually they gotta have a bath, right?
Well of course over the years he has enjoyed a Woolite Day Spa, but never a deep clean, that *was* until seven years ago.
After my ex-husband noticing that Teddy was in sore need of a deep clean and some stitch work, we placed him in a padded shopping bag and took him to the "Build-a-Bear Workshop". After several calls to specialty stores around the city, I found out that the Build-a-Bear folks do FREE refurbishment work. So, holding tightly to my ex's hand, I handed Teddy over to their manager, who I vetted thoroughly to make sure she was qualified to handle my precious one. I let her know in no uncertain terms that if she hurt him in any way it was katy-bar-the-door.
She let me stand behind her and we discussed the fact that since he had never been deep cleaned it would be best to do a re-stuff. I went pale and teared up. My ex held my hand as she gently and carefully opened up the seam in his back.
I nearly fainted.
As she de-stuffed Teddy, she remarked at how rare his stuffing was, as horsehair isn't used for stuffing anymore. However she did praise me for what excellent condition he was in and let me know how impressed and honored she was to be working on him.
After she repaired his mouth and a seam on his leg, she held him out to me unstuffed to take home to wash. At that point I hyperventilated. At the sight of him flat and wide open in the back, my mind spun, my anxiety went through the roof and my ex spirited me out of the store, parking me on a bench with a trembling cigarette in my hand.
While I pulled myself together, he went back into the store and collected Teddy then took me home.
After we got home I couldn't even look in the bag, much less touch it. Every time I got close to it, I freaked, so my ex took him into the bathroom with the bottle of Woolite. The disgusting part is that it took five washings for the rinse water to come out clear. The first time it was completely black.
After a good, solid deep cleaning, he hung out to dry for a few days. Then it was back to Build-a-Bear for the re-stuff. While I thought the de-stuffing was bad, the re-stuffing was equally unnerving.
The one thing I have to give those folks at Build-a-Bear is that they are very sympathetic and caring. First question the manager asked me is whether or not I wanted him to have a stuffed heart. I started crying right then and she helped me pick out just the right heart to put inside. After that, it was to the stuffing machine. I nearly fainted again when his arms and head were put over the nozzles and filled up again.
In the end though, she carefully stitched him back up, gave his fur a proper brushing and spiffied him all up.
As she handed Teddy back to me, she grabbed me in a tight hug and said,"All teddy bears should have someone like you in their lives. I've never seen anyone value their teddy bear more than you. I hope you'll be together 20 more wonderful years. If he ever needs anything at all, come back to see us and we'll make sure to love and take as good of care of him as you do."
And as he sat in my lap on the car ride home smelling of Woolite and fresh stuffing, I hugged Teddy tight and realized how lucky I was to have him. I thanked my ex profusely for helping me get through the ordeal. As soon as I got home, I called my uncle and let him know that the gift he gave me so long ago was worth more than all the riches in the world.
My ex maybe gone and I still fight my illnesses every day, but I'll always do it with my sweet Teddy by my side!
Hooray for our beloved stuffed friends!!!
rainy_daze
Diamond Member
@Rellie: That is such a cute story. I was moved reading it. In a way, it sort of feels like a fantastic metaphor for learning to cope with PTSD. Your insides are rare but they need to be cleansed in order to become a whole person again, or to feel shiny and new but still be the person you once were. That sounds silly, but I am in the middle of sorting out my insides so I can rebuild myself again. Like Teddy. He looks happy in the photo.
I am so glad the woman in the shop was so understanding and your Teddy is still by your side. I am also intrigued that Build-a-bear does a deep cleaning service, I have never heard of that.
I am so glad the woman in the shop was so understanding and your Teddy is still by your side. I am also intrigued that Build-a-bear does a deep cleaning service, I have never heard of that.
- Post starter
- #65
D
Deleted member 12723
I enjoyed the story too. I too did not know that Build a Bear did cleaning and restuffing. I am so happy for you that your teddy bear is as good as new now. Thanks for sharing the story with us.
- Post starter
- #66
P
p-no
I came across this webpage (German, but no language needed for this): needfulfriends-koboldkinder.de and love it. Maybe you'd like to have a look at the linked (on the left side) pages (for the pictures!). Those little "needful friends" are so cute!
I told my husband about wanting a teddy bear and showed him a bunch of different pictures of ones that I thought were adorable and ones I definitely didn't like. Shared with him my vision of where I would put it and that it could be there for me when I need it. Even if he thought I was ridiculous, he didn't show it. He was interested.
Of course my boys heard what was going on and thought it was silly/stupid, because I'm an adult and not a child. Poo on them. All the more reason to have one!
Of course my boys heard what was going on and thought it was silly/stupid, because I'm an adult and not a child. Poo on them. All the more reason to have one!
Thanks for the support y'all and I'm glad you like our little tale. I've never been around people who understand my 'Teddy-dependency'. It feels good to be around y'all, you really do 'get it.'
Britt, go to Gund.com. Right now they have a guy called "Little Buddy" that I think may serve you loyally until you can find the right bear for you. Here's the link directly to him. ']rupture
Rellie's Whack-a-Loon moment says:
Personally, I've found that it is more empowering to find much needed things on my own. Besides, IMHO each candidate applying for the position of anyone's 'Go-To Bear' needs to be interviewed. I'm quite serious. How can any stuffy do the job if it's not the right volume or consistency for your hugs? Comfort level and trust are important! Does the look in the eyes say it's trustworthy? Sorry, control issues aplenty over here, but at least going Teddy shopping gives you an excuse for a little outing devoted to how special you are. :D. Remember, no one needs to know what you're shopping for but you. ;)
Britt, go to Gund.com. Right now they have a guy called "Little Buddy" that I think may serve you loyally until you can find the right bear for you. Here's the link directly to him. ']rupture
Rellie's Whack-a-Loon moment says:
Personally, I've found that it is more empowering to find much needed things on my own. Besides, IMHO each candidate applying for the position of anyone's 'Go-To Bear' needs to be interviewed. I'm quite serious. How can any stuffy do the job if it's not the right volume or consistency for your hugs? Comfort level and trust are important! Does the look in the eyes say it's trustworthy? Sorry, control issues aplenty over here, but at least going Teddy shopping gives you an excuse for a little outing devoted to how special you are. :D. Remember, no one needs to know what you're shopping for but you. ;)
Rellie, I'm cracking up since my mixed terrier's name is Buddy. She's my little love sponge and follows me just about every where. I sent my husband the link but pointed out that there were more bears there that I also liked. Yep their face has to be just so. They have to be soft and able to cuddle. Not to big and not too small. Their fur and coloring had to be just right.
So don't you worry about control issues. My husband worries all the time about finding things for me because I have to have everything just so. Me? I think I'm easy to buy for. :rolleyes::roflmao:
MouseWedger
Gold Member
Now you've all got me looking! I found this Gentle-bear to be quite fetching... though it could be that he has a 'stash and my sisters and I have a running joke about them. :rolleyes: I love Mr Tumbles though and could never replace him. Speaking of snuggle-ables, I still need to find my Frog and Stitch. They are around here somewhere... now to find the time to do a scavenger hunt!!
rainy_daze
Diamond Member
I'm looking forward to Britt telling us what Teddy she gets :D.
In true survivor style my elephant survived a washing machine cycle (no spin), and a wee bit of time in the tumble dryer.
After the build-a-bear idea of taking your teddy to be cleaned there, I did a little research about the Edinburgh branch, but could not find out if they did that for bears not purchased there :(. My partner then pointed out that my elephant is old (I calculated that he's maybe 7 years old) and has been around me through a lot of germs and illness. Then he asked me if I had ever washed him. I realised he was yucky, actually really dirty, so I washed him. I became very concerned about the germs!
I couldn't handle the hand washing him in a bath for a few reasons that are a bit mad so I won't get into them.
Don't be alarmed, I read some tips on how to wash bears in washing machines (if you're interested, just ask). Now he smells lovely, has lost a little hair and has pellets that should be in his elephant feet in his bottom instead :(:hilarious: I don't recommend everyone shove their bears in the machine, hand washing seems to be the way to go or find a wonderful Build-a-bear that has that service. There must be careful consideration that your bear might not be as tough as my elephant, and could disintegrate in a machine. I was prepared to have to repair him by hand if that had happened though :facepalm:.
His survival of the washing machine and tumble dryer has made me love him more. Tough like me ;). @Rellie: thankfully my elephant is still the right consistency for cuddling... and is more trustowrthy now I don't feel like his insides are all germs.
In true survivor style my elephant survived a washing machine cycle (no spin), and a wee bit of time in the tumble dryer.
After the build-a-bear idea of taking your teddy to be cleaned there, I did a little research about the Edinburgh branch, but could not find out if they did that for bears not purchased there :(. My partner then pointed out that my elephant is old (I calculated that he's maybe 7 years old) and has been around me through a lot of germs and illness. Then he asked me if I had ever washed him. I realised he was yucky, actually really dirty, so I washed him. I became very concerned about the germs!
I couldn't handle the hand washing him in a bath for a few reasons that are a bit mad so I won't get into them.
Don't be alarmed, I read some tips on how to wash bears in washing machines (if you're interested, just ask). Now he smells lovely, has lost a little hair and has pellets that should be in his elephant feet in his bottom instead :(:hilarious: I don't recommend everyone shove their bears in the machine, hand washing seems to be the way to go or find a wonderful Build-a-bear that has that service. There must be careful consideration that your bear might not be as tough as my elephant, and could disintegrate in a machine. I was prepared to have to repair him by hand if that had happened though :facepalm:.
His survival of the washing machine and tumble dryer has made me love him more. Tough like me ;). @Rellie: thankfully my elephant is still the right consistency for cuddling... and is more trustowrthy now I don't feel like his insides are all germs.
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