My husband and I owned and worked on our VW bus for many years, but that's one piece we never had to replace in 33 years before it's demise. (Mr Bus went out in a proper Viking funeral in the 2003 wildfires in San Diego county.) We also had a dog who was a true chewer so we know Kongs!
I thought Inrecognized it! Back in “79“ I drove my girlfriend‘s VW for a few hours down near San Felipe in Baja California. There was a pothole at the bottom of a canyon that was filled with water right up to the rim. I hit it and we ended up in a Mexican auto repair shop. The “Kong“ was very old and had cracked and needed to be replaced!
I'll bet they had the part and got you on your way fairly pronto...we did a lot of Baja traveling (and repairs) in our Mr Bus including losing our brakes on one trip south.
Great article, never knew the connection altho first car was a ‘69 beetle and 5 Labs in past 50 years use this bus part. Have to admit, neighbor’s new electric bus in green/cream looks outstanding and gets waves and smiles up/down the street.
In 2022 I helped my daughter sell her house and noticed big holes in her walls, through the drywall, that needed repair before we could sell it. She explained the damage was caused by a Kong, which I had never heard of, a toy for a grandchild's dog, that was bounced off the walls. Buyer beware!
I volunteer at our local animal shelter and Kongs are a favorite with all of the dogs. They are filled with peanut butter or treats and used as enrichment. Fascinating history of the Kong! I’ll be sure to share this info. Who knew that the axle stop on my boyfriend’s VW would become a loved dog toy!
Our last dog loved licking peanut butter out of his red Kong. Our current, smaller dog can’t her tongue in far enough to fall in love with her Kong, which is black. I love this story.
My husband and I owned and worked on our VW bus for many years, but that's one piece we never had to replace in 33 years before it's demise. (Mr Bus went out in a proper Viking funeral in the 2003 wildfires in San Diego county.) We also had a dog who was a true chewer so we know Kongs!
Dogs and VWs, a karma match
I thought Inrecognized it! Back in “79“ I drove my girlfriend‘s VW for a few hours down near San Felipe in Baja California. There was a pothole at the bottom of a canyon that was filled with water right up to the rim. I hit it and we ended up in a Mexican auto repair shop. The “Kong“ was very old and had cracked and needed to be replaced!
I'll bet they had the part and got you on your way fairly pronto...we did a lot of Baja traveling (and repairs) in our Mr Bus including losing our brakes on one trip south.
Yes they did! Apparently it holds up better when exposed to dogs than to roads in Baja.
I assume that the "Kong" gets dried out under a car, especially if the bus lived in the SW US. They don't get dried out ever when a dog owns them!
What's funny is that the toy had to be produced in red. I don't think dogs recognize red, but it makes it much easier for the human to find it.
Great article, never knew the connection altho first car was a ‘69 beetle and 5 Labs in past 50 years use this bus part. Have to admit, neighbor’s new electric bus in green/cream looks outstanding and gets waves and smiles up/down the street.
In 2022 I helped my daughter sell her house and noticed big holes in her walls, through the drywall, that needed repair before we could sell it. She explained the damage was caused by a Kong, which I had never heard of, a toy for a grandchild's dog, that was bounced off the walls. Buyer beware!
So cool!! My dog has loved this chew, especially with peanut butter. The toy may outlast several pals! Loved this!
The favorite of our dog, Yasmin, named after my favorite movie monster. Everyone loves Kong!
I volunteer at our local animal shelter and Kongs are a favorite with all of the dogs. They are filled with peanut butter or treats and used as enrichment. Fascinating history of the Kong! I’ll be sure to share this info. Who knew that the axle stop on my boyfriend’s VW would become a loved dog toy!
Our last dog loved licking peanut butter out of his red Kong. Our current, smaller dog can’t her tongue in far enough to fall in love with her Kong, which is black. I love this story.
Have you tried the smaller sizes? I think the smallest is labeled "Puppy."
https://www.vw.com/en/newsroom/lifestyle-and-heritage/kong-vw.html
wow, such a cool story!
Great piece, and I also recommend Kong as the ultimate toy for any dogs with an obsession for chewing (like my boxer had)
Love this. Had no idea that dogs' most beloved toy started out under a VW bus.
What a delightful read.
I got it all wrong of course, but my first impression was Jeffrey Epstein’s visit card.