My previous dog cherished a particular toy, which I also loved. While working at a former job, my team discovered an Etsy seller who created a tiny plush version of our product, designed specifically for dogs! It was a chewable version of our newspaper, with a remarkably similar look. This soft replica of the product I dedicated my time to was now in the playtime of my standard poodle.

The toy’s size and shape made it an ideal fetch item, fitting perfectly in my dog’s mouth as she dashed across the patio, leading to many afternoons of tossing the plush newspaper back and forth. After her passing, it’s the one possession I’ve chosen to keep rather than donate. It remains tucked away in my closet as a cherished memory, which I was reminded of recently after reading intriguing articles about America’s beloved dog toy, Lamb Chop.

The beloved lamb puppet from Shari Lewis’s 1960s show has found a special place in our dogs’ lives, featuring everything from seasonal outfits to oversized versions, to small birthday hats, and even collections of various lamb toys. Lamb Chop has become a popular fixture in toy boxes, affectionately nicknamed “lamby” by its fans. Its design is perfect for fetching games, but it takes on a different meaning during Lamb Chop-themed celebrations on TikTok.

According to the New York Times, around 32% of pet owners today are millennials who grew up watching Lamb Chop’s Play-Along on television during the 1990s. Let’s face it, it’s often the humans who enjoy tossing a miniature Lamb Chop puppet around. While Lamb Chop is a nostalgic favorite, the market for dog toys showcases a vast array of unique options, allowing anyone to find a toy that showcases the personality they wish to convey about their pet. Lamb Chop isn’t alone in this wave of feel-good nostalgia.

New Yorkers can pick up bagels and coffee (“Packed with fluff!”), while those in Philadelphia might enjoy cotton water ice and pretzels for their dogs. Dogs in LA can indulge in a “Hollywoof” set. Gaming enthusiasts may find “game bones” or gaming dice as toys waiting for them in their holiday stockings.

Food lovers can engage their dogs with charcuterie board-themed interactive games or plush pots filled with seafood boil toys. There are endless options for Disney fans. Even more specifically themed are toys resembling Malort bottles, a Dolly Parton all-access tour pass, or the iconic tin filled with Grandma’s sewing supplies. Each toy signifies a belonging to a particular human community, reflecting trends we wish our dogs to be associated with, tapping into that classic millennial brunch culture.

Of course, dogs typically don’t grasp the cultural implications of toys shaped like a giant burning joint. And there are certainly some toy shapes that raise legitimate questions about play—like, how does one fetch an entire bowl of ramen noodles? Nevertheless, these toys are primarily for our enjoyment. They reflect our hobbies and interests, fostering a cultural connection between us and our pets, integrating them more deeply into our lives and sharing the same pop culture references that we adore. This concept is far from new.

Studies on ancient human-animal bonds show a similar narrative about incorporating our pets into our communities. As far back as ancient Mesopotamia, the style of collar or charm a dog wore indicated its owner’s social status and identity in their community.

In exploring the burial customs of ancient pets, Robert Losey from the University of Alberta delves into how humans left personal items, like spoons, with their pets for the afterlife. These practices not only helped other people understand the owner’s societal role but also allowed owners to incorporate their animals into their family structure. This is not altogether different from buying a plush film roll for your dog because of your passion for photography.

Historically, there’s evidence of Victorians making what we now call enrichment toys for their cherished songbirds. So it’s not surprising that we would be drawn to tiki plush toys and activities like doggie dentist. Lamb Chop not only brings joy to our pets but also symbolizes our connections, making it an excellent way for families to bond.