I think he's kind of like the Velveteen Rabbit story.
He's been through a whole lot of livin' and lovin'...it kind of rubs some of the fur off of you and tatters your ears up a little, but it makes you more loved and special than any of the others
To the ones that don't get it?
I guess they're entitled to their opinions but I personally think they are shallow, insignificant pissants to say such things