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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think that it is not possible for someone (well, something) to disappear without a trace??

71 replies

desperatelysearchingMrD · 23/01/2015 14:23

Posting here as I have no idea where else I could?? Maybe one of you can help?!

Desperately trying to find a Mr D replacement. Without him nothing is well, life cannot go on and the hell breaks loose.

It is a large jellycat puddle monkey, given to DS by daddy when born in early 2013. They have been inseparable ever since and Mr D is now in advance state of decomposition. I'm putting off washing him, as I strongly suspect that this time he will not come out of the washing machine in one piece (as a result, he is in such state that even the dog leaves the room when Mr D enters).

I cleverly bought 2 replacements at the time, but MIL managed to loose both on two separate occasions during one visit (when asked if she looked for Mr D when she realised that she lost him, she said that she could not be bothered walking all the way back to where she lost him! I searched later but he was gone:().

We tried everywhere. Jellycat, amazon, ebay, gumtree, all listed UK jellycat stockist (from the list a wonderful lady at jellycat emailed us). Gap (hubby bought him at Gap). USA- apparently there was one in a small shop in LA, but by the time I phoned them (time difference) he was gone. HK. France. We also tried to introduce other jellycat monkeys to DS, but although they all look similar, there is something about Mr D (or rather about his tail- DS uses the tail as a pacifier).

Maybe one of you has seen Mr D in a shop somewhere where we didn't manage to check, somewhere else abroad, in charity shop window or has a spare one and would be willing to sell it (or swap for one of the new bashful monkeys that sleep in the drawer). We would be forever grateful :)

to think that it is not possible for someone (well, something) to disappear without a trace??
OP posts:
YoureMyWifeNowDave · 23/01/2015 14:31

I think I would skin your MIL alive and fashion a new monkey from the remains (only half joking!)

Sorry I haven't seen one but I will keep an eye open for one for you when I'm on holiday next week

whothehellknows · 23/01/2015 14:31

I've seen threads like these work before, so good luck. Someone is bound to have one somewhere. Maybe a facebook "share the photo" campaign would help? I'm also wondering if you could have a replica made somehow?

florascotia · 23/01/2015 14:42

OP I hope that someone finds a stockist somewhere for you.

But if they don't, have you thought of asking around - maybe on the craft threads here - to see whether anyone can make something similar for your DS? It would be infringing the manufacturer's rights to make an exact replica, so please don't do that, but it would not be difficult for anyone experienced with a needle to make any other creature (dog, cat, fantasy animal etc etc etc) with a nicely-shaped tail. There are dozens of free patterns for toys available online (and you can buy them, too), and fur-fabric companies (also online) often sell offcuts of furry/plush fabrics.

I know NOTHING about this site, and have never tried to download anything from it, but it does have a pattern for a toy monkey: www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/how-to-sew-sock-monkey.html

Parietal · 23/01/2015 14:50

can you hand wash for now?

I suspect the attachment will be such that even an identical MrD would not be good enough for your child - a new one wouldn't have the right smell etc.

why not keep introducing other toys and see if something else feels nice - it might not look the same, but might have the same shape / tail etc. Your DS might need a story of how the new toy cat is MrDs friend etc.

Or make MrD a cloak (maybe a furry or silky fabric) - if the cloak is as cuddly as the toy, one day the cloak can substitute for the toy.

HedgehogsDontBite · 23/01/2015 14:53

Should add, that french amazon only has 3 left so get your skates on.

Original poster
desperatelysearchingMrD · 23/01/2015 15:00

Thank you- good idea I may try facebook. Thank you for looking out for us. Hated MIL for loosing Mr Ds but she was helping us at the time with looking after DS for a week I could not do anything to her- too complicated trying to arrange repatriation on top of new childcare arrangements ;)
Flora as much as I love the crafty idea I don't think it will work - DS already rejected a large number of other monkeys, even looking very similar to Mr D (the tail was not the same! )

OP posts:
InfinitySeven · 23/01/2015 15:02

Hedgehogs, that was amazing.

jopickles · 23/01/2015 15:02

the bashful monkey they still sell is very similar you could maybe get away with that

Original poster
desperatelysearchingMrD · 23/01/2015 15:15

Hi Jo- tried, not the same (shorter tail and different feet). I know I sound like a mad person- I just want to be able to leave the house without the fear of loosing the last Mr D and with a child who is holding a clean toy :)

OP posts:
EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 23/01/2015 15:21

Desperately - the monkey in the link Hedgehog provided looks exactly the same. Have you looked at it?

Good detective work, Hedgehog. Smile

HedgehogsDontBite · 23/01/2015 15:26

I did wonder if she had missed my post. I'm not in the UK so get different google results. I thought it might be worth a try and that was on the first page.

wishmiplass · 23/01/2015 15:28

I think the OP's after a large one though...

momb · 23/01/2015 15:38

I think OP wants the large: the ones in France are medium

wishmiplass · 23/01/2015 15:41

Not that is wasn't excellent sleuthing though Hedgehogs

RedCrayons · 23/01/2015 15:44

I wash the manky most loved toys in a tied pillowcase, no spin in the washing machine and dry them on the radiator. No disasters yet.

Tyzer85 · 23/01/2015 15:47

How big is the large one? I have that monkey on my speaker but I'm not sure if it's medium or large.

wishmiplass · 23/01/2015 15:48

19" I think...

Tyzer85 · 23/01/2015 15:51

Looks like mine is the medium one then, sorry.

wishmiplass · 23/01/2015 15:51

Although inanimate has posted one that's 14" which is supposed to be large. However, the french one was 13" and was a medium and the large one that you can't get on Amazon is 19".

Head explodes.

Allstoppedup · 23/01/2015 15:58

Just a thought but if you can't source a new one, have you considered sending the original Mr D to a teddy bear hospital?

There are some fantastic companies that restore older/worse for wear bears and stuffed toys, maybe they could give him some TLC and give him a bit longer!

Bearitinmind.com seem to do good work but there are lots of ' teddy Dr's' about online!

PrincessPilolevuofTONGA · 23/01/2015 16:00

Save your time. A replacement will never pass for Mr D. You're just going to have to learn to darn

SaucyJack · 23/01/2015 16:03

Any good?

beecrazy · 23/01/2015 16:16

My grandson has one of these but is inseparable from it.

Due to this they bought a 'spare' and for months let only one be seen at a time just giving him the second one after washing so they both developed the right smell/feel.

All seemed well until one day one couldn't be found so the spare one was given to him. Oh that's OK he said (aged 2 and a half) that's 'other monkey' and off he went with it. He obviously knew all the time there were two but luckily was quite happy with that.

That doesn't help you though but just shows they can't be fooled with substitutes.

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