Is it a bed or is it a bucket? Truthfully.

Mummy is constantly searching for that bed that SHE likes. It doesn’t matter what we think, she’s still not happy with what we’ve got – even though they are really comfy.Surprisingly, we haven’t had that many.

My first bed was from Mungo & Maud.When Mummy was preparing for my arrival, she told them I’m a Cockapoo. They advised her that I needed a medium size bed. When I first sat in it, it was so large that both Little Tyke and I could sit in it. Maybe not any more but we did then. And when I decided that I did not want to sleep in the kitchen any more, there wasn’t room for it. So that bed went to Elvis Elliot and his first time mummy, Karine. We kept the pad though. Mummy was to then start thoroughly researching into different types of beds, and what beds would be best for certain dog breeds as well as suitable enough to withstand both Georgie and me. Mummy started to look at the likes of these tough dog beds that would probably be more than suitable at coping with our doggy antics. The amount of different types of beds we have is starting to increase exponentially!

I do have a very special dog bed (chair) – it was given to us by someone who had a dog a long time ago. He knew Mummy would appreciate it.And she does – it’s been re-upholstered. The problem is most people who come to visit thinks it’s a human chair.

When Georgie came along, we didn’t have a bed but we got sent a parcel and in it was a donut bed from Mutts & Hounds – and it was perfect for him. It was perfect for me too!I do prefer smaller beds as I like curling up in them.

Last Christmas, Mummy really wanted to get something bright and happy for me. We like the beds from Mungo & Maud but they are either too big or too small. Same with Cloud 7. They are of a very high quality but they tended to be rectangular. Mummy was looking for something round and that doesn’t have prints of dogs or paws or bones on it. She found Danish Design – no dogs, paw prints or bones, just some hare! And it came in a bright colour. So this is what I got for Christmas.And both George and I sleep in it – separately.

Well, Mummy was still not satisfied. The other day, she was out shopping with George at Skandium, everything Scandinavian. And she saw these colourful buckets. And she thought – Amazing! Love the shape, love the clean lines, love the colours. Maybe they can be a dog bed for George.

So George had to sit in it to see if he fits. And he did fit in it.
Is it going to be yellow or red?
Mummy brought home the yellow one.It is made of foam and felt, so it’s soft but there’s no padding in it. She tried to make it more comfortable and used the pillow from our orange Danish Design bed. But Mummy, it’s too high for Georgie to get in. He’s a bit nervous having to climb in and didn’t like climbing out either.

Then it was my turn to try it. And believe it or not, I did fit in it. I don’t like climbing into a bucket either and there’s nowhere to lay my head.So three days later, when there was no success, Mummy knew she had to return it.

But she wasn’t giving up. Because she had seen a round one, with equally high sides but she had an idea.

This time she brought me to trial it. When she told the lady at the store she’s returning the yellow bucket because we didn’t like it, the lady commented, “Maybe it’s the colour.” LOL! Haven’t you heard that hoomans say we are colour blind, so we wouldn’t know that it’s yellow. I think she didn’t like the colour herself.

Anyway, I had to trial the round “bucket” and it does fit better. She put in a Marimekko grey and white pillow to raise the base, but it made no difference as we had still had to step over the high sides. But Mummy wasn’t giving in. “Don’t worry,” she reassured me, “I have an idea.” Oh dear!

The grey bucket came home with us. When we got home, she drew a line on it. And then told one of her joinery guys who is good with his hands and his tools to cut along that line – that way, we can walk into the “bucket” easily.

“Voila!” said Mummy. “See I told you.”But the Marimekko pillow was way too high and puffy. It made it unsteady for us.

Then out came the treats. Mummy always know how to get us to do things. And so we both got into it – those liver treats will get us to do anything! By this time Mummy had removed the pillow and she had bought a towel with foxes on it. Hmmm. Didn’t you say, Mummy that you didn’t want anything that was obviously “doggy”? It was at least better than the super high, puffy pillow.But nothing mattered at that point – we were getting treats for sitting in the bucket.

Well, whether we like it or not, that “bucket” isn’t going back to the store because part of it had been hacked off! So, we’ll have to learn to make it our own. It’s alright but it’s not as squishy as the others we’ve had. Even George took to it after several blankets later. To the point that I ended up sleeping on the floor.The next day, Mummy did go and buy a seat pad to make it more comfortable. And because it looked too subdued, she put in a happy yellow blanket to brighten it up.Again, we don’t see the difference in colours. But we get the idea that Mummy is into bright yellow these days. Watch out next project – you will find a bright yellow room somewhere! LOL!

After all that effort to find the right dog bed (bucket) I hope Mummy likes it enough to stop looking any further.

Good thing is – the other beds are all going to charity. Except for the Victorian dog chair/bed. That isn’t going anywhere – it’s become a family heirloom.

May’s comment: RESULT!!! No treats required.Well, it was worth a try. I like Scandinavian design – combination of “enduring aesthetics, functionality, craftsmanship and an honest expression.”

The Muuto “Restore” basket (not bucket!) is designed by Mika Tolvanen.

“I wanted the basket to have a non-obtrusive nature. It’s a great little basket for storing magazines or any other bits and pieces. Polymer felt combined with a soft form give the basket a friendly appearance. The name Restore is inspired by the fact that the baskets are made of recycled PET bottles.”

Sounds perfect for my purpose!

For now we have the Muuto Restore Round basket. Not in the colour I wanted but the grey goes with everything. So I added a matching grey round seat pad with yellow piping and covered with a happy yellow towel – both from Peter Jones.

Actually come to think of it. These days both my dogs are not interested in their beds – they’re lying on the floors – too hot for blankets.