I do not have any non-furkids so I was not familiar with the little toy Ella picked up off the sidewalk, but apparently it’s made by Sassy Baby. All I know is that this lil guy - whom I have aptly yet uncreatively named “Sassy” - has become Ella’s favorite friend in the world and I cannot get over the cuteness of it all.

Meet Sassy

We were just out for a walk one evening, and Ella had her nose to the ground as usual. She happened upon this little toy that a child must have dropped and decided to use it to satisfy her oral fixation. No child in site to return the toy to, I didn’t bother with the “drop it” command (like that ever works anyway), assuming she’d lose interest with it after a couple of blocks as she does with most empty potato chip bags and discarded water bottles (ahh, the clean streets of NYC). Only this time, she was not going to let go of this toy for love or biscuits.

Adding to the cuteness is the fact that I have always joked about Ella being a real baby because I feed her baby food (she has a very sensitive tummy) on, yes, Dora the Explorer paper plates (bad for the environment but I promise you someday soon I will post a video of Ella saying “delicioso!” after she scarfs down her green beans and rice).

It’s been a couple of weeks and although Sassy is disgustingly dirty, he hasn’t so much as lost an arm and Ella hasn’t even gutted him for his squeaker. I’m telling you - it’s true love.

Momma teases Ella who is distraught that she’s lost momentary touch with Sassy

Ella adeptly captures Sassy and runs off with him to ensure they’re never again separated

Ella snuggles in bed with her boyfriend (and momma joined shortly thereafter - so there was no funny business)