Pet Qwerks X-Tire Ball Dog Toy

This was the first toy my rescue puppy played with at her new home with us five years ago ... it eventually stopped working and was cast aside. I always thought it was really clever and different, mostly because it isn't just a repeat of a couple of noises like some (one especially that is awful, just repeating "hey big doggie, I GOT cha!!" eight million times a day, but has over 20 sounds, per its maker. The other day I looked at the old dead one and got the PetQwerks name off it, searched, and found it on good ol' Amazon. As several reviewers note--and as its tag admits--"your dog will love it, but it will drive you crazy" --- I didn't think this would he the case for us, as we'd already had one and enjoyed it along with the pup. BUT I think it is both louder and easier to activate now -- a new and improved version apparently. I think it even irritates the dog, who gives it a "look" when it starts roaring, barking, and screeching across the room, seemingly by itself. The "key" (pun intended) to this problem is to retain the little clear plastic piece that you pull out when you first get the toy working. This piece keeps the battery from making contact and the toy from giving postal workers heart attacks thinking they're delivering a shipment of fighting weasels or illegal wildlife species. I had thrown it away. As soon as I realized my mistake, I tried to make a similar plastic piece, with no luck. Fortunately I found the original, and now keep it in a place where it will not get lost. It would be smarter, come to think of it, to put a colorful and visible tag on it so it won't get lost. As it is, it's as easy to overlook as a contact lens dropped on the floor. Another thing -- I ordered a medium size and got a ball that is larger than I wanted even though my dog is over 90 pounds. It is larger than a tennis ball. Large must be reeally big. Should note also that is is durable and I believe safe.