Is this zoomies toy dog safe for my pet? (Tips for choosing non-toxic options)

Alright, so yesterday I had this crazy idea, right? My dog, Sparky, he's got, like, boundless energy. I mean, seriously, he's a zoomies machine. So, I thought, "Why not make him a toy specifically for his zoomies?" Here's how it went down.

Step 1: The Brainstorm

• First, I sat down and just watched Sparky go nuts in the backyard. He loves chasing stuff, mostly leaves and the occasional squirrel he'll never catch.
• Then I thought, what if I could combine his love of chasing with something a bit more... structured? Like, an obstacle course kind of thing, but toy-sized.
• I grabbed a notepad and started sketching some ideas. Tunnels, jumps, things he could weave through.

Step 2: Gathering Supplies (aka Scrounging Around)

• I didn't want to spend a ton of money, so I raided my recycling bin and craft stash.
• Ended up with: a cardboard box (the perfect tunnel!), some PVC pipes (for jumps), a bunch of old t-shirts (for stuffing and making soft obstacles), and some duct tape (because duct tape fixes everything, right?).
• Also, I snagged some treats – gotta have a reward for being a good boy!

Step 3: Building the Zoomies Arena

• Started with the cardboard box. Cut off the flaps, reinforced the edges with duct tape. Voila, a tunnel!
• Next, the PVC pipes. I cut them into different lengths and used more duct tape to create little hurdles. Not pretty, but functional.
• The t-shirts? I rolled them up tightly and secured them with rubber bands to make soft barriers he could bump into without getting hurt.
• I arranged everything in a small area in my living room. Looked kinda like a mini-gym for a hyperactive chihuahua.

Step 4: The Zoomies Test!

• This was the fun part. I let Sparky loose.
• He was a little confused at first. Sniffed around, gave me a "What is this?" look.
• I tossed a treat through the tunnel. He went for it! Success!
• Then, I guided him over the jumps, rewarding him with treats each time.
• He actually started to get it! Weaving through the t-shirt barriers, jumping over the pipes, zooming through the tunnel.

Step 5: The Aftermath

• Sparky was exhausted. Like, completely passed out on the couch exhausted.
• My living room looked like a disaster zone, but it was worth it.
• The cardboard box tunnel lasted about a day before he started chewing on it (surprise!). The PVC jumps are still holding up, though.

Final Thoughts

It was a fun project, and Sparky definitely enjoyed it (while it lasted!). I learned that duct tape is my best friend, and that maybe I should invest in some sturdier materials next time. But hey, for a DIY zoomies toy, it wasn't half bad!