Buddy had always been a happy, goofy Labrador who loved rolling in the grass like it owed him money.
But last spring, something changed.
He started scratching… a lot. Chewing at his paws, rubbing his face on the carpet, and looking downright miserable.
At first, I thought it was fleas.
Then I thought maybe his food.
But after a vet visit and some testing, the answer was clear: seasonal allergies.
And they were bad.
We tried everything — new food, supplements, even oatmeal baths. Some things helped a little, but Buddy was still constantly uncomfortable… and worse, he couldn’t sleep at night. Which meant neither could I.
In a desperate moment, I ordered a durable treat-stuffable toy just to keep him distracted during his scratching fits.
And that’s when something unexpected happened.
This toy became his obsession — in the best way.
I’d fill it with allergy-friendly calming chews, and suddenly, Buddy had a purpose. He was licking, chewing, pawing at it — but not at himself. It gave his brain and body something positive to focus on.
Little by little, with the help of the toy, the chews, and his new hypoallergenic dog shampoo, Buddy started sleeping again. He wagged more. Scratched less. And I cried the first night he slept through without itching.
The allergies haven’t disappeared — but our sanity has returned, and that toy?
It wasn’t just a distraction.
It became a lifeline.