Walking animal toy apparatus and methods of making and using the same

An animal walking toy apparatus that achieves realistic leg movements, comprising:

• a body element configured to appear as an animal, the body element having a main portion and a front right leg, a front left leg, a rear right leg and a rear left leg disposed downwardly from the main portion;
• a drive mechanism apparatus comprising:
• a housing comprising a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side;
• a first wheel disposed in proximity to the front end of the housing, the first wheel configured to roll on a rolling surface;
• a first arm having a first end and a second end, and a midpoint, the first arm disposed in proximity to the front end of the housing, the first arm pivotally connected to the housing at about the midpoint of the first arm, the first end of the first arm connected to the front right leg of the body element and the second end of the first arm connected to the front left leg of the body element;
• a second arm having a first end and a second end, and a midpoint, the second arm disposed in proximity to the rear end of the housing, the second arm pivotally connected to the housing at about the midpoint of the second arm, the first end of the second arm connected to the rear right leg of the body element and the second end of the second arm connected to the rear left leg of the body element;
• and
• a linkage between the first wheel and at least one of the first and second arms, wherein the linkage translates the rotational motion of the first wheel to back and forth substantially linear movement of the at least one of the first and second arms.