This year marks the third annual Stuffa-Husky event put on by the MUB Board. Each year around Valentine ’s Day, the MUB offers an event where not only huskies but other animals can be stuffed by adoring college students or desperate boyfriends and girlfriends. This year, the animals featured included huskies, black bears, polar bears, moose, foxes and snow leopards. Some of the animals are teddy bear style, where they stand on two legs; whereas others, like the husky and fox, stand on all four legs.
Many people were already waiting by 5 p.m., but no one was rushed. Most people were sitting in chairs or on the floor and some had brought laptops or homework to do while they waited. It was very relaxed and many people were excitedly trying to get a glimpse of which animals were being brought out. By 5:30, the line had reached the third set of stairs and the workers were nearly finished setting out the mountains of soft, fuzzy animals and stuffing fluff. People were beginning to stand in excitement as the clock ticked closer to the beginning of the event.
Many of those who came to the event were with friends, but couples and singles were also plentiful. As soon as 6 p.m. came around, the line began moving forward. It was a steady stream of bodies as people swiped in and grabbed their animal of choice. There were plastic grab-bags full of fluff so you could stuff your husky wherever you wanted. The stuffed animals had a line of Velcro down their backs and a white fabric bag inside with a zip tie around the edge. You stuffed the white fabric with the fluff from the bag by hand but you had to make sure you pulled the fluff apart so it could air out and expand to fill the animal. The MUB Board had ordered 500 stuffable animals, 300 of which were huskies.
One of the members of the MUB Board who was working at the check-in table said they ran out of animals about 20 minutes into the event. Looking at the online retailer that provided the stuffed animals, Teddy Mountain, the plushies that were given away at the Stuff-a-Husky event would normally cost around $10-$25 each. Thankfully, the event was free with a Michigan Tech ID. Becca Hamel, a third-year geology student who successfully stuffed a husky said, “Next year we definitely need to show up earlier, like, 4:30.” Others who may have missed out on getting a stuffed animal or who considered leaving because they were so far back in line agreed. If you are planning to score a stuffed animal next year, be sure to show up early and bring something to keep you occupied for the hour or so wait because the animals go fast and the line grows quickly.
