A boy and his puppy

So ever since Mason was about 10 months old (maybe even younger), he has had an attachment to a lovie, which is a dog head and arms (paws?) sewn onto a small blanket.  This sweet little blue guy is affectionately known as "Puppy".  Puppy is like a member of our family.  Sometimes Puppy goes with us when we go places.  Sometimes Mason requests that we kiss Puppy or share a bite of our food with Puppy.  Puppy has also had to have various surgeries, as his ear nearly fell off and other various ailments!  Puppy has been washed many, many times as he has been vomitted on, peed on, snotted on and who knows what else. I don't mind this attachment because he generally is willing to leave Puppy behind anytime I ask him to; he doesn't take Puppy into school or a store.  However, Mason absolutely must sleep with Puppy.  This is non-negotiable in the world of a 3 year old.  So occasionally at bedtime, Puppy will be missing and we may have to go on a Puppy hunt before Mason can go to bed.  So far, we have been able to find him every time and move along to a successful bedtime.  Sometimes he is in some odd places- the tunnel underneath Micah's bed, stuffed inside a backpack, wrapped up in blankets, etc.  I know that one of these days, Mason will be completely over his blue friend and be more concerned with friends and sports and whatever other interests he may have.  So in the meantime, I will embrace Puppy as one of the family, because Mason loves him so I do too.