What the hell is this implement thing (and how did it get in my car?)

[thecatneuterer]

Other items shown for scale.

I was emptying my car boot yesterday in preparation for my car's four-monthly trip to the car wash and came across this thing. I swear I've never seen it before and I certainly have no idea what it's for. It looks like a giant corkscrew, but the end isn't sharp.

I realise you won't be able to work out how it got in my car, but if I at least knew what it was then it might give me a clue.

Isn't that for screwing in the ground and tethering a dog on the lead to it?

You screw it into the ground and clip your dog's lead onto it as a tether if you're out for a picnic or something

Dog tether for screwing into ground.

Thank you!! I'm still no closer to knowing why I have it though!

Yep, dog stake - I have one

I knew MN would have the answer:)

It can’t be a dog stake - look at the size of it next to a packet of tissues. It wouldn’t be strong enough to hold a chihuahua!
It looks like a puzzle from a Christmas cracker

Did you have a mad plan to start walking one of the cats? It's an odd item to suddenly appear, will it make a good Christmas present for anyone you know?

@LimaFoxtrotCharlie

It can’t be a dog stake - look at the size of it next to a packet of tissues. It wouldn’t be strong enough to hold a chihuahua! It looks like a puzzle from a Christmas cracker

That's not a packet of tissues, it's a pack of soya milk

I thought it was a tent peg (I am very much not a camper ).

It’s for tethering a dog

Nah. It's big enough for a dog stake.

Who else has access to your car op?

Thats not a packet of tissues. Its a carton of soya milk!

@LimaFoxtrotCharlie

It can’t be a dog stake - look at the size of it next to a packet of tissues. It wouldn’t be strong enough to hold a chihuahua! It looks like a puzzle from a Christmas cracker

That's a litre of soya milk - not a packet of tissues. It's really quite substantial.

@LimaFoxtrotCharlie

It can’t be a dog stake - look at the size of it next to a packet of tissues. It wouldn’t be strong enough to hold a chihuahua! It looks like a puzzle from a Christmas cracker

Ummm look again. There is no lack of tissues and it's clearly a dog stake

Does anyone else have access to your car? Have you given a friend a lift recently?

@BernardsarenotalwaysSaints

Did you have a mad plan to start walking one of the cats? It's an odd item to suddenly appear, will it make a good Christmas present for anyone you know?

Nope . And no, I don't know any dog people.

No pack of tissues! There is definitely a lack of tissues

@FleshLiabilities

Does anyone else have access to your car? Have you given a friend a lift recently?

No, and no ...

Do you camp?

do you have a toddler that might have picked it up in a pet shop?
click and collect at pet shop (or shop that sells such things)?

@stepmotherofone

Do you camp?

Hell would freeze over first ...

I do though have a hunting hide for cat trapping missions (like a fold up chair with an integral camouflage awning with spy holes), but that has normal ground stakes. It could be useful in a gale I suppose.

My kids put odd stuff in my boot all the time.... things they find on walks

@pinkbalconyrailing

do you have a toddler that might have picked it up in a pet shop? click and collect at pet shop (or shop that sells such things)?

No children. I work in a cat rescue. We occasionally have dogs, but we wouldn't have use for one of these. I think it must have come from the rescue somehow - it's the only semi-reasonable explanation.

Now I want a hunting hide. I quite like the idea of a collapsible chair covered with a tent with eye-holes.

Not for hunting, just when it gets too much with my children. Also good for the beach.