Thanks everyone! & a special hello to Hynes & no the thread wasn't hijacked as I too am a Swans fan from way back & would have mentioned them myself! 

I take it the funny eared dogs were the Darbyshire ones? I thought they looked like Aust pottery. They've been hanging out in a cabinet here for so long that I don't even recall where & when I got them.

I'm having to get rid of a lot of my smaller breakables before I drop them. My left hand has become practically useless & the thumb will not grasp now! Makes typing even harder & my sticky tape woes are a horrid chore when packing parcels.

I haven't been here for ages, but knew the great boardies here would know why that particular listing was creating so much interest. As Kitty said above; I should do my homework, but in all honesty I just wanted them to have a good home before they ended up smashed on the floor! It's so upsetting to have old pieces dropped. If Mon is around I should tell her I dropped one of my Canadian soapstones. The poor raccoon now has no tail & only one ear, but I can't bring myself to throw him away. Cheers & much thanks, K.