I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread.

Also, I mispoke, and we were actually given the puppy from Uabassoon (sorry Kimmy!!!) and I do believe that the only reason it is still together today is 'cause it is so heavy duty. Malone & Emerson played with it and tugged on it, and tried to chew it apart...but its still alive albeit missing the eyes etc etc. here is a picture of it in its younger days: