Dorico’s Animal Eyes, 18 mm, bought at Jo-Ann’s.

I like to give these hug monkeys to friends who need some emotional support due to major illness or stress. They are the size of a newborn, naturally wanting to be cuddled. Their arms and legs and fingers and toes are posable, so you can indicate your current level of funk without saying a word. Even the eyebrows frown and the ears are malleable as well. Much fun to play with. This one, “pasty but feisty,” is the companion of a friend as she goes through some serious blood problems requiring lots of interaction with a somewhat impersonal health system.