Artifact No. 61 - Rozel Rubber Face Puppy Toy

This one is rough…or is it ruff?

We’re not too sure, but the face of this dog says it all. This is a Rozel Rubber Face Puppy Toy. We know that because the face is engraved with the words “Rozel 1960” near its neck. The Rozel company apparently was notorious for making puppies with crying, pouty, sad faces, depicting a sad puppy who was just looking for a new home. And that description says it all. His body is black and white, like a panda, and his face is rubber. The white part of the body is stained to the point it almost seems more like a cream colour.

There is something a bit unnerving about the toy, which is probably part of the reason why it was for sale at the local thrift shop. When you look at the puppy in the face, there almost seems to be a feeling of anger or an oppressive energy about him. Not the sadness depicted by his face. Plus, our dog has been acting strange since it got in the house. He's been hiding on us and sulking around the house.

Normally, we sell the items in ‘as is’ condition, but when we found this guy at the thrift shop, the stitching on his right leg was coming apart at the seams, so Sheryl sewed it back together. Something about this toy was just aching to be fixed, and it was an easy fix, so why not?

We cannot provide details about who owned this rubber-faced puppy, and other than the manufacturer's mark, we have no idea where it came from. All we can guarantee is that the item is creepy.

If you know someone who needs a sad-faced rubber puppy, or maybe you’re just trying to relive parts of your childhood, this Rozel Puppy might be the right toy for you.