Dusty Teddy Bear is not, as you can see, a bear. He is a cat. The inspiration behind this site is a real cat, Helios Iakovakis a.k.a. Leo. Leo is a ginger-Siamese mix and he’s got the meooooow-lung capacity of an opera singer, the temperament of a grizzly bear, and the attitude, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, ‘Leave me alone!’” He loves nothing more than escaping outside, and springs to life when embracing the suburban wilderness. He looks at dew on the grass with wonder and awe. He looks at fences as something to be pole-vaulted over. He looks at birds as lunch. He looks at dogs with severe disdain and pity, while bullying them. And what of other cats? They are to be annihilated one puny whisker at a time! Of course, all this depends on Leo being awake, which is highly unlikely, indoors or out. The only time he is snuggly is late at night when he’s attempting to take over the expanse of the bed, while trying to carefully conceal this fact from his master…or is it, whipping-boy? God forbid he be caught showing affection! Leo likes tuna, thinks you’re trying to poison him with shrimp, but loves cat snacks. It’s one way to lure him out from under the table. A toy is only a cat toy when it’s not a cat toy at all. The adage is if you spend money on a feline-approved toy it will receive his official stamp of a snub. String, boxes, and rugs to tunnel under only please! Once, after emerging from a thrilling adventure in the garage, Leo was scooped up into the arms of his master, who exclaimed while nuzzling his fur, “You smell just like a dusty teddy bear!” And hence, the name Dusty Teddy Bear was born. S.J.T.