By Daniela Caride Publisher

I was skeptical when I bought a blue West Paw Design Bümi Dog Toy for my dogs a month ago. Geppetto is into balls, Lola destroys practically everything, and Frieda is not very interested in games. At the doggy pond, none of them paid attention to it. (I threw it in the water, and, yes, it really floats.) But this toy turned out to be great in many ways.

Our blue Bümi Dog Toy is in perfect shape despite all the gnawing and tugging. (Daniela Caride photo)

As soon as my dogs left the pond, Lola and Geppetto started playing tug-of-war with it, a game that became a routine here at home.

And my dogs sure tested the Bümi’s durability. Everyday, they take turns gnawing on one end of the toy for at least an hour. Believe it or not, it is still in perfect shape.

The Bümi is also very flexible, so they don’t hurt their gums while trying to steal it from each other’s mouths. The toy flexes out to twice its length and then bounces back to its “S” shape.

Surprisingly, Geppetto is now fetching it, too. So, thanks to our blue Bümi, he finally learned to retrieve something besides balls.

This product is made in the U.S. and recyclable. It’s available in two sizes — small and large, and you can buy it in blue, green or orange.

Prices: $9.95 (small) and $13.45 (large)

* Daniela bought this product.

Lola showing off her Bumi. (Daniela Caride photo)