Stephanie Finnegan

Deck the Halls: Douglas decks out big and small critters in holiday finery

November 12, 2018 by Stephanie Finnegan

Holiday Handful Pandas from Douglas — Douglas’s Holiday Handfuls feature many adorable critters in winter gear.

Douglas, or as it’s sometimes called Douglas Cuddle Toys, tackles all manner of beasts this upcoming holiday season. Borrowing a phrase from James Herriot’s beloved autobiography about being a dedicated country vet, the Douglas creative team has dreamed up cuddle toys that reflect “all creatures great and small.” These 2018 arrivals are tiny enough to cradle in the palm of one’s hands, or big enough to giddy up and ride. It’s a plethora of plush possibilities, and there’s definitely a breed and a genre to delight every arctophile and stuffed-animal enthusiast on your holiday list.

Wonderland of Imagination: Katie Rae Bears auction piece supports charity

November 5, 2018 by Stephanie Finnegan

Amanita and Muscaria 2018 — Amanita and Muscaria are two woodland fantasy critters from Katie Rae Bears

I love finding surprising teddy bear images in my in-box. As we get closer to the holiday season, all of us will be checking our physical mailboxes for Christmas cards and family holiday portraits. I’m always excited when I receive postcards from teddy bear artists I’ve met over the years and get a chance to marvel at their talent and their kindness. Yep, finding a photo that can make you smile is a treat, no matter the time of year. Discovering one during the hectic run-up to Noel is a mood elevator; it is the “paws that refreshes,” to paraphrase an old beverage advertising slogan!

Scary Good: Feisty Pets are perfect for Halloween pranks, beyond

October 29, 2018 by Stephanie Finnegan

Rascal Rampage, one of the charming-to-alarming Feisty Pets

Halloween has careened up the path to America’s second-favorite holiday. It comes in right behind Christmas, and way ahead of the Fourth of July. One of the reasons why Halloween is so beloved is that it offers folks a chance to dress up and go undercover for a 24-hour period. (Or, for some lucky people, an entire week of parties, parades, and trick-or-treating.) Transforming into something out of the ordinary is so intoxicating that it isn’t just reserved for children, adults, and everyone in between. Nope, October 31 hijinks travel beyond the realm of mammals, and are happily embraced by our plush pets as well. Particularly, Feisty Pets.