How to Make a Pet Rock

Animal, vegetable or mineral? In 1975 Seattle advertiser Gary Dahl began selling pet rocks. They sit. They stay. They roll over (with a little help). They came with a care manual. Dahl sold 5 million of them - at $3.95 to $5 a pop. And now you want one? Well, you'll have to make your own.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brushes
• Googly Eyes
• Elmer's Glue-All
• Enamel Paints
• Polishing Cloths
• Rocks Or Stone
• Superglue
• Superglue
• Rotary Hobby Tools

1. Consider all other pets too messy. This is the best way to take pleasure in your pet rock.

2. Find a smooth, uniformly shaped rock. Dahl used Rosarita Beach stones, but they may be difficult to locate (unless you live on Rosarita Beach).

3. Use a rotary tool and sanding disk to round sharp edges. Your pet rock should be pleasant to pet, not dangerous.

4. Use a polishing cloth to give your pet rock a healthy shine. Don't polish it too much; you don't want your pet to show fingerprints (or lip prints).

5. Observe your stone carefully for a few days. Get to know its personality. Determine what its face should look like.

6. Glue on googly eyes or use enamel paints to enhance your pet rock's face.

7. Don't add pipe-cleaner legs, glitter or other garish ornamentation. Your pet rock will feel stupid in public and may grow to resent you for it. You may, however, provide it with a fashionable hat.

8. Name your pet appropriately.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry about grooming, training and feeding - this ideal pet needs none of that!
• "Rocky" is not a clever or funny name.
• Pumice is difficult to decorate and impossible to polish, but more fun in the tub, since it floats.
• Never throw your pet rock, especially in a glass house.

[heather4675]

on 5/25/2009 I have an awsome pet rock and his name is rockith. He is fully trained. he is relly awsomefull but does not have a face. he needs a face but he is to small.

[laker951]

on 8/11/2008 I have a pet rock named Craigan Scott Rocke. He is so adorable! I found him March 28th 2005 and he has since been my companion. I love him and we will always be together. He has a natural smile! It is a slight crack where a mouth would be.

[mikalmonko55]

on 12/27/2007 i have a pet rock named charlie mercury hyukateh (im not japaneese i just thought that name would be funny.) his middle name is mercury (he is a boy i checked) because resembels the planet mercury. i did not put googly eyes on him because on my first rock i put eyes on him and he wasn't very happy. rocks are awsome. for their nest i suggest a box of any kind with shreded paper for bedding.

[mikalmonko55]

on 12/27/2007 i have a pet rock named charlie mercury hyukateh (im not japaneese i just thought that name would be funny.) his middle name is mercury (he is a boy i checked) because resembels the planet mercury. i did not put googly eyes on him because on my first rock i put eyes on him and he wasn't very happy. rocks are awsome. for their nest i suggest a box of any kind with shreded paper for bedding.

on 8/29/2006 The Ancient Rocky Sword of Rocks, if your pet draws it, he will be all mighty.
What you need:
Pipe cleaners
tape

Once you have a pipe cleaner, fold it so that it has two sides. Next get another pipe cleaner, and fold it the same way, and then use tape on both so that the side that has no pipe cleaner will stay together. Get another piece of tape and put it through the other, and ta da! Rockcalibur!