A photo of Pete the cat

Pete's Toy Box: Clifford the Big Red Dog

Aurora® Playful Clifford® Laying Clifford Stuffed Animal - Childhood Nostalgia - Lasting Companionship - Red 11 Inches

By: Aurora

Pete's Expert Summary

My human has presented me with a crimson effigy of a lesser species, a dog, apparently based on some literary figure they find charming. It is a plush object from a brand called Aurora, known for producing items of tolerable softness. This one, named "Clifford," is a substantial size, not some pathetic mouse that gets lost under the sofa. Its primary appeal, from my point of view, would be its potential as a worthy wrestling adversary or a superior napping pillow, given its purported high-quality materials and the satisfying heft promised by internal bean pellets. The sentimental value to the human is, of course, entirely irrelevant, but if it means the object is well-made and will withstand a vigorous bunny-kicking, then its nostalgic purpose is a net positive.

Key Features

  • This plush is approx. 7" x 12" x 4" in size
  • Made from the highest-quality materials so the fun never ends
  • The perfect Clifford plush to spark imaginative play from the classic literary story of Clifford The Big Red Dog
  • Clifford's love for cuddles is just as big as he is!
  • To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The thing arrived in a state of undignified confinement, a clear box that crackled with cheapness as the human liberated it. They called it "Clifford." I called it The Red Pretender. It was placed on *my* oriental rug, a silent, fluffy gauntlet thrown down in the center of my domain. From my observation post atop the bookshelf, I analyzed the intruder. Its color was an aggressive, almost offensively cheerful red. Its eyes were simple black embroidery, devoid of cunning. Its smile was a fixed, dopey curve. An amateur. For an hour, a silent war of nerves was waged. I remained motionless, a gray and white statue of judgment. The Red Pretender did the same, its plush form a monument to idleness. The human, oblivious to the high-stakes drama unfolding, simply left it there. This was my chance. I descended from my perch with the deliberate grace of a predator and began a slow, circular patrol. The first test: scent. It smelled of the factory, clean and synthetic, but with an underlying, earthy note from the bean pellets within. Not unpleasant. I extended a single, perfect paw and gave its flank a tentative pat. It didn't yield like a cheap carnival prize; it absorbed the blow with a soft, weighted *thump*. Intriguing. This called for a more direct line of inquiry. I crouched, my tail-tip twitching the universal code for impending doom. Then, I launched myself. It was not a battle, but an interrogation. I seized The Red Pretender in my forepaws, fell back, and unleashed the full fury of my hind legs. A torrent of kicks rained down upon its crimson hide, a stress test of the highest order. I expected seams to burst, fluff to fly. But the stitching held. The "highest-quality materials" were not a mere marketing fabrication. The fabric was resilient, yet soft against my claws. It was, I had to admit, a well-constructed adversary. Exhausted by my efforts, I ceased my assault. The Red Pretender lay unmoved, its foolish smile unchanged. It had passed the trial by combat. There was no victory in destroying it, only in subjugating it. I nudged its weighty, bean-filled body into a more pleasing configuration, curled up against its flank, and rested my head upon its back. The war was over. I had established dominance, and in return, I had gained a surprisingly comfortable, respectably durable, and adequately sized vassal. It could stay. For now.

Aurora® Playful Clifford® Clifford Stuffed Animal - Childhood Nostalgia - Lasting Companionship - Red 11 Inches

By: Aurora

Pete's Expert Summary

My human has procured a plush effigy of a rather garish red canine, apparently a figure of some renown from their juvenile literature. The brand, Aurora, suggests a baseline of competence, so it’s unlikely to disintegrate into a cloud of cheap fluff upon first contact. Its size is substantial enough for a proper wrestling match, and the promise of "highest-quality materials" is intriguing—I do loathe the feel of inferior polyester on my tongue. The most curious feature is the inclusion of "bean pellets," which suggests a certain heft and satisfying thud when batted from the arm of the sofa. It is either a worthy adversary for a lengthy session of mock-disembowelment or, more likely, a ridiculously vibrant and slightly lumpy pillow.

Key Features

  • This plush is approx. 4.5" x 5" x 11" in size
  • Made from the highest-quality materials so the fun never ends
  • The perfect Clifford plush to spark imaginative play from the classic literary story of Clifford The Big Red Dog
  • Clifford's love for cuddles is just as big as he is!
  • To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The object arrived not with the usual casual toss onto the floor, but with a certain reverence. The human placed it on the velvet ottoman—*my* ottoman—as if it were a diplomatic offering. I observed from my perch on the back of the sofa, my tail giving a slow, metronomic thump. It was an emissary, then. A silent, crimson ambassador from the Kingdom of Dogs. I descended with the gravitas befitting such an encounter. Its color was an assault on the senses, a shade of red not found in nature, but its form was solid, unthreatening. My first test was one of character. I circled the plush diplomat, sniffing for any hint of treachery or, worse, actual dog. It smelled only of the box it came in and the faint, familiar scent of my human. No guile. I extended a single, cautious paw, claws sheathed, and pressed against its flank. The material was, I grudgingly admit, exquisite. A deep, soft pile that yielded without feeling flimsy. This was a well-funded envoy, clearly from a prosperous nation. The second test was one of substance. Could it hold its ground? I leaned my full weight against it. The "bean pellets" in its core gave it a stable, bottom-heavy quality. It didn't simply flop over like some cheap carnival prize. It had presence. It had integrity. Emboldened, I administered a series of swift bunny-kicks with my hind legs, a classic interrogation technique. The stitching held firm. The plush fabric absorbed the blows without a single tear. This ambassador was not only well-dressed but also remarkably resilient. Finally, having determined it to be a harmless, if absurdly colored, presence, I gave my verdict. I ceased my assessment, kneaded its back for a moment to signal the conclusion of hostilities, and then curled up against its side. It was warm from the sunbeam hitting the ottoman and shockingly comfortable. As an opponent, it was durable. As a companion, it was silent. But as a pillow, it was sublime. The negotiations were over. The crimson ambassador was permitted to stay.

Pillow Pets Clifford The Big Red Dog Jumboz Plush - 30 Inch Stuffed Animal Pillow

By: Pillow Pets

Pete's Expert Summary

My human has, with their typical lack of subtlety, introduced a rather large, aggressively red canine effigy into my domain. They call it a "Pillow Pet," a name that is both redundant and insulting. From what I can gather, this "Clifford" creature is a Trojan Dog of comfort, a plush toy that unfastens to reveal its true purpose: an enormous, 30-inch pillow. While I find its cheerful, vacant doggy stare deeply offensive, I cannot deny the strategic value of its sheer surface area. It promises a sprawling landscape of unparalleled softness, a potential new continent for napping. It is a garish blight on the living room's decor, certainly, but it may prove to be a worthy, if aesthetically unfortunate, addition to my collection of sleeping surfaces.

Key Features

  • JUMBOZ PLUSH: Everyone loves Clifford, the big red dog who likes to play and learn with his friends. As a Jumboz plush, Clifford is extra large for extra fun, unfastening into a 30-in pillow.
  • COMFORTING COMPANION: Pillow Pets presents super soft, cute, & adorable stuffed animals that unfold into fuzzy pillows for sleep. Kids, teens, & adults love these classic & collectible comfy critters.
  • COMFORT: This plush is a pal by day, then unfasten its belly to make a pillow by night! Comfortable travel friend for any child on road trips & airplanes. Also use as boy & girl bedroom decoration.
  • BEST BUDDY: Children of all ages will love this original toy for play & as a large pillow for reading, watching television, studying, and sleepy nap time. Youth love to read with this cozy creature.
  • DETAILS: This plush is an official Pillow Pets stuffed animal. It unfastens into a 30” pillow and is made of high-quality plush fabrics. BPA and Phthalates free. Ages 3+.

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The new arrival was an affront to all that is tasteful. It was a monolith of fire-engine red plush, a vulgar monument to caninity squatting in the corner of the study. My human cooed at it, demonstrating its one, crude trick: unfastening a strap on its belly to transform it from a sitting dog into a sprawling, flat dog. A sideshow attraction. I watched from atop the bookshelf, my tail twitching in silent judgment, and dismissed it as another piece of juvenile nonsense that would soon be covered in my fur as a mark of territorial dominance and then ignored. Days passed. The Red Thing remained, a silent and fluffy sentinel. I circled it, sniffed it, and once, when the human wasn't looking, gave its ear a tentative bat. It wobbled pathetically. Utterly useless. Then came the afternoon when a particularly glorious sunbeam, the kind that warms you down to your very soul, landed squarely upon its back. It was an invitation I could not, in good conscience, refuse. With a sigh of resignation for the things I must endure, I leaped from the armchair and settled onto the crimson expanse, kneading the high-quality plush fabric with begrudging approval before curling into a tight, skeptical ball. Sleep did not come in its usual form. Instead of the gentle drift, I was pulled into a landscape of impossible scale. I was no longer merely Pete; I was Pete, the Colossus of the Gray Tuxedo, my paws the size of armchairs, my purr a rumbling earthquake. The familiar room was a vast plain, and beside me stood another giant—the Red Dog, brought to life not as an enemy, but as a steadfast companion. Together, we stalked the phantom red dot, a malevolent crimson star that darted between skyscraper-sized table legs and across the vast desert of the hardwood floor. We were guardians of this realm, partners in a silent, epic hunt that echoed through the canyons of my slumber. I awoke as the sunbeam retreated, the dream fading but the feeling of grandeur lingering. I stretched, my claws extending deep into the plush territory I had claimed. The Red Dog was still just a pillow, its stitched-on eyes still vacant. But I knew its secret. It was not a toy, nor merely a bed. It was a vessel, a silent partner for adventures far too grand for the waking world. The human thinks they bought a pillow. They have no idea they acquired a co-pilot for my subconscious. The garish creature could stay. We had work to do.

Aurora World Clifford The Big Red Dog Standing 10" Plush and Paperback Storybook Gift Set

By: Aurora

Pete's Expert Summary

My human, in a baffling display of questionable taste, has presented what they call a "gift set." It appears to be a plush effigy of some ridiculously oversized, crimson canine, paired with a paper-and-ink contraption and sticky decals clearly meant for a less-developed intellect. The brand, Aurora, occasionally gets softness right, so this "Clifford" creature's fur might offer some marginal utility as a supplemental napping pillow. However, its primary function seems to be cluttering my domain. The embroidered features mean I won't accidentally swallow a plastic eye during a preliminary chew test, but its vacant, doggish stare is an affront to my sensibilities. A potential distraction, but ultimately, a monument to the human's poor judgment.

Key Features

  • Clifford is 10" plush with soft fur and embroidered eyes and paws... Soft felty nose too.
  • Clifford is paired with his original storybook in bright colors complete with seven stickers for extra fun
  • Clifford is surface washable and oh so huggable - just the right size for small hands to hug and hold

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The object wasn't for me. I deduced this immediately when the Human didn't perform the ceremonial presentation bow and offering, but instead placed the bright red canine effigy and its accompanying paper rectangle on the coffee table with an air of anticipation. It was waiting for someone else. An interloper. The doorbell confirmed my suspicions. It was the Small Human, the one they call "Niece," a creature of unpredictable movements and high-pitched vocalizations. The red dog was a tribute for her. I watched from the dignified solitude of my perch atop the bookcase as the offering was made and accepted with a shriek. For an hour, the Small Human subjected the plush dog to a series of indignities—hugging it too tightly, making it "talk" in a squeaky voice, and even attempting to affix one of the tacky stickers to its forehead. I observed with clinical detachment. Then, the inevitable happened: a call for "juice" lured the Small Human away, leaving the plush canine abandoned mid-carpet, an island of garish red in my sea of tranquil gray and beige. This was my moment. I descended from my tower, a silent, tuxedo-clad operative on a mission of reconnaissance. I circled the thing first, my tail giving a single, contemptuous flick. The construction, I had to admit, was sound. The stitching was tight, the eyes merely thread, posing no threat. The fur, as I tentatively brushed against it, was surprisingly plush—not as magnificent as my own, of course, but a respectable effort from the Aurora company. Its felty nose was an insult to noses everywhere, but the overall softness was... adequate. I gave it a test-pat with a single paw, claws sheathed. It had a satisfying squishiness. It was not a warrior, nor a worthy prey. It was something else entirely. Suddenly, I understood its true purpose. It was not a toy. It was a throne. A mobile throne. I carefully stepped onto its back, my paws sinking into the soft red material. I kneaded it once, twice, a low purr rumbling in my chest not of joy, but of conquest. Then, I settled, folding my legs beneath me and surveying my kingdom from this new, slightly elevated, and offensively red vantage point. When the Small Human returned, she found her new companion occupied. She let out a small gasp, but my regal glare and the sheer perfection of my pose made her hesitate. The Human simply chuckled and said, "Looks like Pete has claimed him." Exactly. The dog was a foolish tribute, but it made for an acceptable pedestal. It could stay.

Cliffords Big Red Box. 50th Anniversary Pack (10 Book Set) ( Big Red Dog Fiftieth Anniversary Set ( Total 10 ) )(Chinese Edition)

By: Scholastic

Pete's Expert Summary

So, the Human has presented me with a 'Scholastic' product. I know the name; they produce sturdy, lap-warmed cardboard, often filled with flimsy paper sheets. This particular specimen is a bright red box, allegedly celebrating the 50th year of some freakishly overgrown, crimson-hued dog. The box itself, a tidy square of roughly 21 centimeters, shows immediate promise as a strategic napping platform. The contents—ten so-called 'books' filled with indecipherable symbols—are largely irrelevant, though their crinkly sounds might provide a moment's distraction. Honestly, the primary value here is the box's potential for high-quality sitting. The rest seems like a profound waste of perfectly good trees.

Key Features

  • 本体サイズ : 約 21 x 21 x 4 cm
  • おおきいあかいクリフォードの絵本10冊セット

A Tale from Pete the Cat

It arrived with an air of ceremony usually reserved for a particularly succulent cut of salmon. The Human placed the garish red box on the living room rug, beaming as if she’d discovered a new sunbeam pattern. My initial assessment was one of profound disappointment. It was a box, yes, but its surface was defaced with the image of a canine so large and so red it offended my muted, sophisticated gray-and-white sensibilities. This, I thought, is what passes for entertainment in this household? I turned my back and began meticulously grooming a perfectly clean patch of fur on my shoulder, a clear signal of my disgust. But then, the Human opened it. The lid came off, and she fanned out ten thin squares of paper. She began to stare at one, her lips moving silently. Curiosity, that most base of feline instincts, got the better of me. I padded over, silent as a shadow, and peered at the object in her hands. It was covered not in the simple scrawls of the local language, but in intricate, complex glyphs. I had seen them before on the side of the takeout containers that smell of five-spice and mystery. These were not simple stories. This was a codex. An intelligence dossier. A shiver, entirely unrelated to a draft, ran down my spine. The pieces clicked into place. The ridiculously large dog on the box wasn't an illustration; it was a threat assessment profile of a target, codenamed "Clifford." The ten "books" were ten separate mission briefings. "Clifford's Good Deeds" was obviously a list of his known allies and public operations. "Clifford Goes to Washington" was a chronicle of his attempt to infiltrate the government. My Human wasn't reading children's books; she was a field agent, and this was her assignment. The fact that it was the "50th Anniversary" edition meant this was a cold case, a long-running operation of utmost importance. I immediately understood my role. This was no toy to be batted or a simple box to be sat upon for warmth. This was a trove of sensitive international security documents. I leaped onto her lap, displacing the briefing papers, and settled myself squarely atop the red box. I would be its guardian. My naps were no longer for leisure; they were a vigil. My purr was no longer a sign of contentment, but a low-frequency hum intended to scramble any listening devices. This "Big Red Box" was, against all odds, worthy. Not as a source of amusement, but as a source of purpose. The Human could continue her "reading"—her code-breaking, I now understood—and I would stand, or rather, lie guard. The house was safe under my watch.

Aurora® Playful Clifford® Stuffed Animal - Childhood Nostalgia - Lasting Companionship - Red 8.5 Inches

By: Aurora

Pete's Expert Summary

So, the human has procured a small, garishly red effigy of some mythological canine named 'Clifford.' According to the marketing nonsense, it's meant to evoke 'nostalgia,' a concept I find entirely useless unless it involves a particularly good dream about a bottomless bowl of tuna. It's roughly my size, which I interpret as a direct challenge to my authority. The manufacturer, Aurora, touts 'high-quality materials' and 'bean pellets,' which I translate to 'durable enough for a proper thrashing' and 'a satisfyingly heavy thud when I knock it off the bookshelf.' Its 'sweet lovable facial expression' is an obvious ruse. The question remains: is this a worthy adversary for my formidable claws, or merely another dust-collecting monument to the human's questionable taste?

Key Features

  • This plush is approx. 6" x 8.5" x 6" in size
  • Made from the highest-quality materials so the fun never ends
  • The perfect Clifford plush to spark imaginative play from the classic literary story of Clifford The Big Red Dog
  • Sweet lovable facial expression
  • To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The trial was convened at dusk, atop my judicial bench on the highest tier of the cat tree. Below me, in the center of the rug, sat the defendant: a crimson dog, unnervingly still, its stitched-on smile a clear mockery of justice. I, as the sole arbiter of Household Law, cleared my throat. "You stand accused of multiple infractions," I announced to the silent room. "First, the crime of being aggressively red, an affront to the sophisticated neutral palette of my domain. Second, the crime of being a *dog*. And third, the crime of possessing a suspiciously cheerful demeanor. How do you plead?" The defendant, of course, remained silent, a classic legal strategy. I descended from my perch to cross-examine the witness. My initial approach was a cautious sniff. No discernible scent of threat, just the faint, sterile smell of a factory. I circled it, my tail twitching like a metronome counting down to a verdict. "Your silence is telling," I murmured, giving its plush ear a test-pat with my paw. It wobbled slightly, its bean-filled core giving it a strange, lifelike heft. This was no mere fluff. This thing had substance. The prosecution, I decided, required a more... physical demonstration of the evidence. With a speed that belies my pampered lifestyle, I launched the attack. I grappled the defendant, flipping us both onto our sides in a flurry of gray and white tuxedo fur. My back claws, the instruments of ultimate judgment, went to work. I expected flimsy stitching, the cheap fluff of lesser toys. Instead, the 'high-quality materials' held firm. The resistance was... impressive. The bean pellets shifted inside, making it a dynamic, unpredictable opponent that absorbed my fiercest bunny kicks with a satisfying, muffled crunch. This wasn't an interrogation; it was a worthy duel. After a vigorous ten-minute trial by combat, I lay panting, the red dog pinned beneath my front paws. I had rendered my verdict. Guilty, of course, on all charges. However, the sentence was not banishment under the sofa. The sentence was life. A life of hard labor as my personal sparring partner. Its durability had earned it a place in my kingdom, not as a friend, but as the perfect, silent vessel for practicing my formidable battle techniques. The human would see it as 'play,' but I knew the truth: I was merely enforcing the law.

Aurora® Playful Clifford® Palm Pal™ Clifford Stuffed Animal - Childhood Nostalgia - Lasting Companionship - Red 5 Inches

By: Aurora

Pete's Expert Summary

So, my human has presented me with this... artifact. It appears to be a miniature, blood-red effigy of a canine, a species I generally find uncouth and excessively slobbery. This "Clifford" thing, made by a company called Aurora, is clearly designed for the clumsy hands of human children, given its small, palm-friendly size. I will concede, however, that the "bean pellets" inside might offer a satisfyingly hefty feel, a decent substitute for actual prey when one is practicing the disemboweling kick. Its purpose is supposedly "lasting companionship," but its true potential, if any, lies in its suitability as a victim for my more vigorous hunting simulations. Otherwise, it's just a garish dust collector.

Key Features

  • This plush is approx. 4" x 4" x 5" in size
  • Made from the highest-quality materials so the fun never ends
  • The perfect Clifford plush to spark imaginative play from the classic literary story of Clifford The Big Red Dog
  • Clifford's love for cuddles is just as big as he is!
  • To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The indignity of it all. The Human, my primary staff member, placed the creature on the rug before me with a cooing sound I typically reserve for the opening of a fresh can of tuna. But this was no tuna. It was a dog. A tiny, offensively cheerful, bright red dog. It stared at me with vacant, stitched-on eyes, its posture a floppy mockery of everything I hold sacred. My first instinct was to hiss, to arch my back and fluff my perfect gray tuxedo fur to twice its normal size. An intruder, a symbol of the enemy, had breached the sanctum. I circled it warily, my tail twitching like a metronome of doom. The Human watched, expecting, I suppose, some sort of "cute" interaction. Fools. This was a tactical assessment. I extended a single, cautious paw, claws sheathed for the initial probe. I tapped its head. It wobbled, but there was a strange, satisfying resistance to it, a subtle rustling sound from within its plushy torso. This was not the light, airy fluff of lesser toys. This thing had... heft. It had substance. This changed the calculus entirely. My skepticism began to melt, replaced by a cold, predatory focus. I saw it not as an insult, but as an opportunity. This wasn't a toy to be batted about frivolously. No, this was a *doppelgänger*, a stand-in for every yapping terrier and oafish labrador that has ever offended my sensibilities. I seized it, sinking my teeth into the fabric just behind its ear—a textbook takedown—and was pleased to find the "highest-quality materials" held firm. I then rolled onto my side, gripping the red canine with my front paws and unleashing a furious barrage of bunny-kicks with my back legs. The crinkle of the bean pellets was the sound of victory. The Human laughed, mistaking my calculated training regimen for "play." Let them. This "Clifford" has proven its worth. It is not a companion. It is my personal sparring partner, a whetstone upon which I shall sharpen my formidable skills. It will endure my ambushes from behind the sofa, my pounces from the top of the bookshelf, and my patented grab-and-shred maneuver. It has been deemed worthy, not as a friend, but as the perfect subject for my martial prowess. Its service will be long and arduous.

Clifford The Big Red Dog Plush Toy Collectable - Based Off of Clifford Live Action Movie - Officially Licensed Children’s Book Plush Doll - PBS Educational Toy for Adult, Teens, Kids - 11” Tall Plush

By: Mighty Mojo

Pete's Expert Summary

My human seems to believe my sophisticated palate extends to evaluating plush effigies. This particular item, from a brand named "Mighty Mojo," is an 11-inch representation of a creature they call "Clifford the Big Red Dog." The name is a clear exaggeration; it is neither big nor, I suspect, a dog. It is, however, offensively red. Its primary features are its soft fur—a potential, albeit minor, point of interest for biscuit-making—and a fixed, vacant stare that I find deeply unsettling. It’s touted as a "collectible," which is human for "an object to be ignored on a shelf." For me, it offers no challenge, no movement, no tantalizing scent. It is a stationary lump of fluff, a silent, crimson monument to poor taste, likely to be useful only as a prop for a nap if my preferred silk cushion is in the laundry.

Key Features

  • CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG STUFFED ANIMAL: Imagine having a dog bigger than a house! Clifford The Big Red Dog has sparked imaginations for generations and now you can take Clifford home without ever having to worry that he’ll outgrow the house!
  • COLLECT AND DISPLAY: Based on the beloved children’s books and movie, Clifford is a timeless favourite! His soft fur and expressive face bring this beloved character to life!
  • OFFICIAL MOVIE CHARACTER PLUSH: This beautiful 11” tall plush pup sits upright all on his own. Made with soft stuffed animal fur, a collar with personalized dog-bone tag and embroidered paws and mouth.
  • BEST FRIENDS: Features the Clifford The Big Red Dog bone-tag collar just like in the stories! Bring home the adventure with your very own Big Red Dog!
  • LIMITED EDITION COLLECTORS ITEM: When Emily Elizabeth adopts Clifford, she never imagines waking up to a 10-foot puppy in her small New York apartment! Bring the adventure home with Clifford The Big Red Dog, but hurry he’s only here for a limited time!

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The invasion began on a Tuesday. The Human, my primary caretaker and staff member, returned from an outing carrying a large, crinkly bag. From it, she produced the enemy agent. It was a shocking shade of crimson, a color nature only uses for warnings or for berries I am not allowed to eat. It sat there on my rug, a silent, plush spy, its embroidered smile a mockery of true feline contentment. The tag around its neck read "Clifford," clearly a code name. I narrowed my eyes. This was a reconnaissance drone sent by the yapping terriers next door, I was certain of it. I began my tactical assessment. A low, silent crawl from behind the chaise lounge gave me a better vantage point. The agent remained motionless. Its fur, though synthetic, appeared dense. Its proportions were all wrong for a canine, and it had no scent, save for the sterile aroma of a factory. A clever disguise, but not clever enough. I executed a classic maneuver: the slow-blink of feigned indifference, followed by a lightning-fast *bap-bap-bap* with a sheathed paw against its oversized head. The agent simply wobbled, its stitched-on grin never faltering. It was better trained than I thought, stoic in the face of interrogation. Frustrated by its lack of reaction, I moved in for a closer inspection, sniffing its collar, its fabric paws. Nothing. It was a hollow threat, a scarecrow in the shape of a dog. My initial assessment was wrong. This was not an enemy operative. It was... an insult. Did the Human truly believe this immobile, silent, ridiculously red object could entertain me? Me, who can derive a full hour of amusement from a single, errant sunbeam? The sheer audacity. I turned my back on the crimson fool, preparing to stalk away in disgust to find a more suitable napping spot. But then, a thought occurred to me, a truly brilliant stratagem. I circled the plush figure once more, then deliberately, with all the grace and authority of my station, I pushed it over onto its side. It landed with a soft *whump*. Perfect. I then curled up beside it, resting my head squarely upon its flank. It wasn't my favorite cashmere throw, but it provided an adequate, if garish, elevation. The spy had failed in its mission to be a toy, but it would now serve a new, more dignified purpose: as a pillow for the true master of the house. Let the terriers wonder what became of their agent. He serves a higher power now.

Aurora® Playful Clifford® Clifford Hand Puppet Stuffed Animal - Childhood Nostalgia - Lasting Companionship - Red 12 Inches

By: Aurora

Pete's Expert Summary

My human has brought home a crimson canine avatar, an 'Aurora' brand hand puppet ostensibly modeled after some oversized dog from her juvenile literature. The marketing drivel babbles about 'nostalgia' and 'companionship,' which translates to my human waving this thing in my face while making ridiculous barking noises. I will concede, the material appears to be of a sufficiently soft and fluffy quality, which might make it a tolerable pillow if it would just lie still. However, its primary function seems to be as a vessel for my human's terrible ventriloquism, a purpose for which it is entirely too garish and, frankly, an insult to both puppets and dogs everywhere. It's a potential nap-enhancer held hostage by its intended use.

Key Features

  • This plush is approx. 8.5" x 5" x 11.5" in size
  • High quality materials make for a soft, fluffy touch
  • Based on the original character designs from Norman Bridwell
  • The perfect plush to spark imaginative play from the classic literary story of Clifford The Big Red Dog
  • Suitable for all ages

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The session began in the dead of night, or what passes for it in this house—the hour after the blue light of the great glowing rectangle has been extinguished. I was summoned to the center of the sleeping platform, where my human sat cross-legged, a conspiratorial glint in her eyes. From the shadows beside her, it emerged: a crimson specter with vacant, embroidered eyes and a mouth agape. She called this puppet-abomination "Clifford." It was, she explained in a ridiculous, high-pitched voice emanating from the creature's felt maw, a special envoy sent to discover my "deepest, darkest secrets." I remained impassive, a study in gray and white stoicism. The crimson agent bobbed and weaved, its plush head manipulated by the clumsy hand of its master. "Did *you* knock over the water glass this morning, Pete?" the squeaky voice inquired. I narrowed my eyes. An amateurish attempt at psychological warfare. I responded not with a meow, but with a slow, deliberate blink, the ultimate expression of feline dismissal. Let the operative think what it would; my secrets were my own. It then asked if I wanted to "play," a transparent ploy to gauge my reflexes and combat readiness. The interrogation continued for several minutes, a farce of floppy-eared gestures and inane questions. I groomed a single, perfect tuft of fur on my chest, feigning boredom while cataloging the puppet's weaknesses. The neck seam looked particularly vulnerable to a well-placed claw. The soft, fluffy material, while pleasant to the touch, offered no real defensive capabilities. The operative was all soft power, no substance. Finally, defeated by my silent non-cooperation, my human sighed and tossed the crimson agent aside. It landed in a heap near the edge of the bed. The show was over. Now, the object could be properly assessed. I crept toward it, sniffing its synthetic fur. It smelled of the human and nascent disappointment. I prodded it with a single paw. It was, as I suspected, exceptionally soft. I circled it once, twice, then settled beside it, pressing my body against its plush side. The agent was a failure, a buffoonish interrogator. But as a silent, defeated, and surprisingly comfortable bolster for a well-deserved nap? For that purpose, it showed a glimmer of potential. It had failed its mission, but it might yet find its calling.