Day 231
I think the stuffed penguin population might be overtaking the stuffed bear species. What is my proof? On a recent trip to a thrift store to buy Christmas lights, my children dug nine stuffed penguins out of a single bin which made a nice photo op.
Penguins, penguins everywhere, $.99 each
And while that may seem like a lot of penguins, I think I know the origin. Recently on our family vacation, we visited SeaWorld, ground zero for the stuffed penguin population. In fact, shown below is a store that you have to walk through in the penguin exhibit that sells only, you guessed it, toy penguins, most of them stuffed. And, they seemed to be doing a brisk business.
Penguins, Penguins everywhere, starting at $14.99 each
I have a love/hate relationship with SeaWorld. On one hand, I think they are good entertainment, on the other I think they are a teensy-tinesy bit dishonest. Here is what SeaWorld has to say about itself on its website.
“No organization in the world is more committed to conservation and education than SeaWorld. The parks inspire 13 million guests a year to celebrate and conserve the natural world. Through up-close animal encounters, educational exhibits and innovative entertainment, every one of these guests leave with a heightened sensitivity to the world around them and an awareness of the plight of animals in the wild.
I have my doubts about that statement. I have a hard time figuring out how training an orca to wave is educational. Although perhaps you can make the case for “an awareness to the plight of animals in the wild”, since, in their natural habitat, river otters do not get to wear bow ties and push a little cart like their better dressed captive counterparts.
In addition, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is owned by Blackstone Group whose CEO Steve Schwarzman, a much vilified tycoon, does cute mogul things like have Rod Stewart play at his 60th birthday party that was reported to cost $5 million dollars. My point is not that he shouldn’t be spending his money this way. I mean, I’m a little sad I wasn’t invited because no one loves Rod the Bod more than I do. My point is more that Mr. Schwarzman clearly makes a few dollars and since SeaWorld is a for profit company; I suspect that his firm doesn’t own it out of the kindness of their little capitalist hearts–for the good of the sea.
I’d feel a bit better about it if they were a bit more honest and had a slogan like: Sea World- Making Money with Stupid Dolphin Tricks for over 50 Years.
That’s probably why I’m not in the PR business.
Anyway, while SeaWorld might have the market cornered on plush dolphins and Shamus, they are certainly not the only source for all that cuddly goodness since there are about 457 billion soft toys out there- in my kids closet alone.
At our house, we have a periodic purging of the zoo, since I’m certain they reproduce on their own. Although, if you decide to do this, don’t make a rookie mistake like I once did and ASK them which animals they want to pass along. At that point my children fell into hysterics and shrieked, “NNNooooooo, they are ALL my baaaaabbbbiessss,” like I was asking them to make Sophie’s Choice. Do yourself a favor and cull the herd when they are at school or taking a nap.
I also have a friend that “rotates her stock”. She puts about half of the animals away and then every six months or so, swaps them out. They always have “new” toys that way.
I will also admit, I have put away stuffed toys and then when a reasonable time has passed, give them back to them for important holidays like Easter and Valentine’s Day. Delighted they will say something like, “I love it, this reminds me of a bear I used to have.” So far they haven’t caught on. Another suggestion is to load up a sack and make a “grab bag” trade with a friend or neighbor.
I haven’t tried this, but there is also an organization Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE) that collects and distributes gently used stuffed toys to a variety of non-profit organizations. Also, of note, our Goodwill was giving them away recently as a holiday gift with purchase. I actually threw my hands up in a weird reflexive gesture and inadvertently flung the proffered pink elephant back at the cashier. It hit her in the shoulder and fell to the ground.
“Uh, no thank-you,” I said as she glared at me. “We have plenty.”