AIBU to be heartbroken the cleaner ruined my platypus?

I still have a beloved toy from given to me by my aunt when I was born... mumble mumble over 40 years ago. I'd be very sad if anything happened much as she's been stitched up over the years including having her head sewn back on after I decapitated her in a huge rage when I was about 4 and then sat up a tree sobbing about it all afternoon I can't even remember what I was angry about but poor Bunny

Hope platypus can be fixed. I suspect it got mixed up in the sheets, very easily done.

Also hope you feel better soon, it sounds miserable.

OP!

1. Your platypus is SO cute! I'm glad to hear he's on the mend!

2. How sweet is your DH to be caring for Platypus and trying to fix things.

I'm sure if not tangled up in sheets, cleaner thought she was doing the right thing, though I think it was an accident. A quick friendly chat should be more than enough to say this particular Platypus prefers dry land

Hope your flare settles down soon enough.

I'm not sure beloved cuddlies would appreciate antimicrobial spray, I reckon they develop their own unique microbiome giving rise to their personal scent.

Just seen the update re DH restoring him! He sounds lovely .Hopefully he will be back to normal soon .Just for future reference I have a spray "The Laundress" (avaliable on Amazon) about £15.00) that restores and provides anti bacterial protection as well .I use it for my cashmere cardis which always shrink whenever washed even on cold . Usually spray and hang out or sit him on a deckchair .

I think you might grow to love him again in his new shape. My bunny had some rips through old age, and he wasn’t the same after I sewed him back up but that’s who he is now.

Oh dear! Maybe he was tangled in the sheets and cleaner didn’t see him until he came out the machine?

Can you get another from the same brand?

Or he may be ok once he’s dry. I’ve washed many a soft toy that said do not machine wash and they were fine once dry, fur brushed and cuddled for a few nights.

Im a good bit older than you and still like my soft toy! I dont think hes gone yet.A quick google online ,shows that there are several repair shops locally (SC )to me and am sure you will find the same in your area too .Leith Toy Hospital has a list of pricing for our cuddly friends. Dont worry about him smelling wrong .He will be back to normal after a few weeks! You tube has a couple of videos about reshaping a soft toy chum as well .I am sorry you have been so unwell .

Glad to hear the prognosis for platypus is good ☺️
www.lovedbefore.london/
Just wanted to share that, they do adoptions for 'pre-loved' Ted's and I find them adorable (their Facebook posts are also quite sweet and always bring a smile)

I think you need to be there for your friend this time.
Love him back to his old self

You are definitely not being unreasonable. Watch 'The Repair Shop' and see how many elderly soft toys are loved like your platypus (and my rabbit). Read 'The Velveteen Rabbit' too.

Oh my God, this is one of my biggest fears I have a stuffed whale that I sleep with. I have an anxiety disorder, and sometime I really need that sensory feedback of safety. DP understands the importance, and is very careful to check she doesn't get bundled up with the sheets when we change the bed.

OP, I am so glad your platypus is on the way to recovery. I have found that big paddle tangle tamer brush works well to re-fluff their fur. Your DH sounds bloody lovely. I hope you managed to sleep well.

You are DNBU, and I would be absolutely heartbroken if anything happened to any of my old toys - they have seen me through some hard times. (I also have a platypus who went into hospital with me.)

So glad your old friend is pulling through - I will genuinely be thinking of you both today!

I totally get this, OP. I sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with me because my stuffed animals might as well be real, I'm that attached to them. Especially the manky old bear that I cuddle at night. I'd be devastated if something happened to it.

Your DH sounds lovely. What a sweet, kind thing to do.

YANBU at all, platypus looks lovely and very loved! I’m sure you and DH will be able to restore him and a few nights of being slept with will make him smell and feel more like himself.

I have a beloved cuddly toy who I got when I was about 17 (20 years ago!) who still sleeps in my bed, when I’m anxious I cuddle him against my front and he’s very comforting.

On my bedside table sits a teddy Father Christmas I got when I lived in a children's home and he will be 42 years old in December. He sits next to a soft toy dog that is a little older. I would be devastated if either went missing and I wouldn't ever allow my children to play with them in case they got spoilt. Many of us are attached to soft toys. A few years ago dh bought me a brown teddy that is bigger than me. He knew I'd got very little as a child and I'd seen a lovely teddy but when he went back to get him secretly he'd gone. When I opened this bear on Christmas morning I went running on to the landing to show the kids literally laughing snd crying at the same time. He slept with me when dh was in hospital so I wouldn't feel alone. We all need comfort. I hope he can be repaired.

Your cleaner, while clumsy, sounds like a really lovely kind person. And your husband….well. Top bloke. 💜

I love my toy cat (Mr Cat) so much that on a plane he has to sit on my knee for 10 hours (to relatives in South africa) in case we have to evacuate the plane and I don't have time to get him out of the overhead locker. Don't give up on Mr Platypus yet!

That platypus looks perfectly well to me

Do you have a tumble dryer? If not hang him out in the sun, he needs to be really dry
A tumble will help flump him up again but honestly get him properly dry - the insides will unball and you can brush or re-snuggle his fur

He's definitely saveable
And no, you're not alone

@AtomHeartMotherOfGod

No, but then I don't have an autoimmune problem

Can you go to IKEA or something and see if they have a suitable alternative? You could try flumphing it up in the tumble dryer...

MNHQ in an act of great kindness sent some IKEA BLÅHAJ to the Thigh Women a couple of years ago. Perhaps they could be similarly generous to you?

My dog is overly attached to one of his toys - it's a simple brown stuffed bear. He gets quite distraught when he cant find it and will pace up and down, refusing to settle until it is found - no other toy will do and he has plenty. Although his large toy fluffy unicorn head is becoming a favourite.

As for me, I have an old stuffed Bagpuss that has seen me through some awful times and I can never ever part with him. Actually, I have a few bears that I have collected over the years - each one tells a story. Another favourite of mine is a stuffed Moomin (dont know who remembers the Moomins but I love them), he is sat on my desk next to a bear that my Mum bought for me before she died.

Bears/toys can be so important and significant to so many of us - including our pets.

Your platypus may be worn and weathered, but I reckon he has lots of life in him yet. This washing machine incident is just another badge to add to his tales of resilience. It's like that old story 'The Velveteen Rabbit' where you love something so much, the fur comes off.

Now

I nearly cried last night when we couldn’t find DS’ beloved bunny anywhere. YADNBU.

I 💗 this thread. Platypus is lovely. Your DH is wonderful.

I just asked my DH about his favorite stuffed friend from childhood then ran upstairs and brought down two of mine. He’s never met them until now! (We just moved in together last year.)

Oh poor you that's rubbish. Try the tumble dryer and resquashing his insides and see if that's helpful - failing that try sending him to a teddy hospital I'm sure you'll find them online

I totally get this thread. I’ve had a stuffed bear since I was about seven and now in my 40s. He’s got me through many break ups, operations, painful periods and exams over the years. He know officially belongs to my daughter but I have to admit I sneak him back occasionally if I want a bit of comfort!