I hear ya Gail...most of the toys we purchase are good, longlasting toys (take Mr. Piggy for instance!)
This was just a quick "hey that looks like a nice sturdy rope toy" and threw it in the shopping basket not even thinking about the thick, heavy plastic thing in the middle. Unfortunately, it has caused a great deal of concern.
Like I said, I'm really heartbroken and embarassed about my poor boy's outcome but I just wanted other's to take a second look when throwing cheap dollarstore pet toys into their carts.