Non-wussie stuffed animals

In many cultures a child is given a “patron animal” or “totem animal” who is the child’s protector and symbol of safety strength and power. Sometimes a small-carved version of the animal would be worn as a pendant or kept in the pocket of the child to remind them of the animal sprit that was keeping them safe.

Most people in my culture just give their kids stuffed dolls that don’t look like animals at all and are for the most part more cute that fierce, proud or wild. I’d like to create a line of stuffed animals that have either ancient or realistic countenances. They would have teeth (made of real animal teeth or perhaps a hard plastic) they would not be even a * little * cute the purpose of these cuddly, yet scary stuffed animals it to give a child a sense of confidence. Any kid who fell asleep with a stuffed bear with real claws and a set of big bear teeth would not need to fear things that went bump in the night. The bear would keep the kids nice and safe.

The animals would be region specific, you could only (generally) buy an animal that live/(lived) in your region. Some animals for the American market would include: grizzly bear, coyote, wolf, panther, wild dog, black bear, Polar bear, bobcat, fox and cougar

ADDENDUM: After thinking about this for a bit I wondered if animals like pigeons and squirrels would also work. I think the pigeon could work—but the squirrel seems to silly to be of much use in protection. It would be nice however to have more of the animals be ones that even urban children would see on a day to day basis…

Also, a fierce pigeon that could perch on my monitor to protect me at work would make be feel much safer...