Review: The Invincible Gecko Dog Toy from Nip and Bones!

Cosmo waits patiently for his chance to test out a new squeaky
toy from the Baby Patches Tester Program at Nip and Bones

Long live the squeaker! There's nothing more fun than a brand new squeaker toy for your dog, especially if it can withstand sharp doggie teeth and hours of rigorous play. And if you're looking for a squeaker toy that will last, the Gecko Dog Toy at Nip and Bones may be the perfect choice for your pup!

As a member of the Baby Patches Tester Team, Cosmo got the chance to take the Gecko for a test run. Take a look below at Cosmo's honest review of the Gecko, but first a few product details.

What we're testing

• The Invincibles Gecko Dog Toy in a size small  -- 13" x 8" with two squeakers. It also comes in large - 17" x 8" with four squeakers.

What makes it special

• It's non-stuffed and made with squeakers that last, even after being punctured. In addition to the squeaker, a rattle in the tail makes this toy sound extra exciting. 

Options

Cosmo gives the Gecko a good tug!

• Order the Small with two squeakers or the Large with four squeakers. Both come in orange or blue. 

Who makes it?

• Kyjen

How much is it?

• $10 for the small and $12 for the large at Nip and Bones

Cosmo's test run

Worthy of a good game of tug or session of toss and fetch, the Gecko provided Cosmo with loads of fun.

After a couple of weeks of play, the Gecko has held up beautifully, with plenty of squeak and rattle power for months to come. Just listen... !

As a member of the Baby Patches Tester Team, we received the Gecko toy free of charge. We were not paid for our review, and our opinions, squeaks and shakes are authentically our own. 

Holiday Gifts for Pets and Pet Lovers!

Still looking for some unique, or just fun and fabulous, holiday gifts for the pets and pet lovers in your life? Here are some of our favorites!

Custom clock from The Clock Lady

For the pet lover who doesn't have enough time: These clocks from The Clock Lady are perfect for giving the gift of time! Choose from custom designs using your own photo or order directly from The Clock Lady's Etsy Store. To ensure delivery in time for Christmas, place custom orders by Dec. 12 and Etsy orders by Dec. 15.

Designer lounge beds from P.L.A.Y.

For the pet lover (and pet) with an eye for design and comfort: This fall, P.L.A.Y. added bolster beds with reversible covers to their line of fabulous pet beds.  Since you can never have too many pet beds, P.L.A.Y. offers bolster lounge beds and cushion beds to complement any decor style and taste.

LED collar from Dog-E-Glow.com

For the dog who enjoys the night life: Lighted dog collars and leashes from Dog-E-Glow.com are the ultimate accessory for evening walks or spotting your dog in a dark backyard. Long-lasting LED lights are visible up to 1,000 feet and collars and leashes come in an array of fashion styles and NCAA college logo branded designs.

Bone Jour doormat from Absolutely Floored!

For Monsieur messy paws: This adorable doormat from Absolutely Floored! will welcome any visitor to you home. Choose from a number of pet styles or personalize with your name or initials.

Cosmo models a Julius K9 Power Harness

For the dog with a message: A fast favorite among our fellow agility competitors, the Julius K9 Power Harness was developed in Hungary for professional use for police and rescue dogs. Now it's available in an assortment of stylish colors with a customizable message panel on each side. Cosmo's other side says Rock Star! Available at Canis Callidus and Clean Run. 

Angry Birds Plush Ball with soundchip and Tuff Stuff Flyer from Hartz

For the Angry Birds enthusiast: Hartz has come out with a line of Angry Birds toys so dogs and cats can join the Angry Birds fun.  Choose from toys in plush materials, durable ballistic nylon and latex, some with squeakers or soundchips. Available at Walmart.com and Amazon.com.

Beef on Me Sandwich and Sushi Platter squeaker toys at NipandBones.com

For the dog with discerning taste: Some dogs just need to be the first on their block with a new toy. These adorable plush squeaky toys will delight dog and owner alike. The beef on me sandwich has a squeaker and crinkle legs while the sushi platter which four squeaker toys is perfect for sharing. Available at NipandBones.com.

Houndstooth coat and Jacquard sweater from Martha Stewart Pets for PetSmart

For the fashion hound: The Martha Stewart collection at PetSmart offers jackets and sweaters to warm the heart of any hound or human. Try the classic creme on grey jacquard sweater or the snappy houndstooth coat. Available at PetSmart.com.

Dog Bone necklace from Freaky Dog People

For your favorite dog walker: This sterling silver dog bone necklace from Freaky Dog People is the perfect gift for the dog caretaker in your life. Make the gift complete with cute t-shirts and other accessories from FreakyDogPeople.com.

Happy Shopping!

Pet-spiration: The most inspiring pet parents I know! #momblogoff

Because pets are the new kids, tonight we're participating in a Mommy Blogoff at the WXIA-TV studio in Atlanta. It's all part of social media week in Atlanta -- a week of all sorts of events around the city to showcase Atlanta's involvement in social media. 


Even Mom bloggers need to eat, so we started the evening with a nommy (that's "tasty" in pet speak) cajun-creole spread from Nawlins restaurant in East Atlanta Village.  


But now for the reason we are here. We were just given five topics from which to choose and we are being challenged to write a post about one of them.  I'm choosing "Mom-spiration: The most inspiring parent I know" because our pals in the anipal (that's our animal pals for you mommy bloggers) inspire me every day.


One of Cosmo Havanese's  first pals on twitter was Frugal Dougal, creator of the world famous PawPawty. With the help of 100's of animal parent volunteers participating in PawPawties each month, we've raised nearly $40,000 for animal welfare charities across the world! 

Portrait of Cosmo Havanese by artist @BZTAT

Now Frugal Dougal and our pals at Your Daily Cute and Nip and Bones are kicking off the second annual Santa Paws Drive, the first ever virtual toy drive for pets!! If you like kids, you gotta LOVE pets, so check it out and see how you can pawticipate!


Another one of Cosmo's first twitter pals was @Brewskiebutt. Brew is a kitty, but his mom @BZTAT paints wonderful pet portraits. See the portrait BZTAT did for us at left!  


Now, BZTAT, known in the real world as Vicki Boatright, is planning a 24-hour paint-a-thon this weekend! Along with eight other bloggers who will also be blogging for 24 hours, the group who is led by Dr. V. of Pawcurious, are raising funds for various animal charities. Your can read all about it at Pawcurious!

With so many amazing pet-spirational parents in our community, it's impossible to mention just one, and even more impossible to list them all. So I'll leave you with this video that sums it all up. 


Turn up the volume. Way up!! Pass the tissue's please! 

Thanks to Frugal Dougal and his mum Lynn Haigh of Dougals Den and PawPawty for this amazing video from BlogPaws earlier this year.

Don't Stop Belieeeeeeeeving!